Intracellular interleukin-1 receptor antagonists

ABSTRACT

Matrix metalloproteinases are major mediators of tissue destruction in various chronic inflammatory disorders. The present invention demonstrates that over-expression of intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist confers to recipient cells resistance to signaling pathways of proinflammatory cytokines (such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-1 beta) that induce matrix metalloproteinase and subsequent tissue degradation. Hence, over-expression of intracellular IL-1 receptor antagonist may inhibit tissue destruction in various inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, other arthritides, degenerative intervertebral disc disease and chronic skin ulcers that occurs in diabetes mellitus and bed-ridden patients.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part patent application of non-provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 11/072,170 filed Mar. 4, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,482,323, which claims benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/550,108 filed Mar. 4, 2004, now abandoned.

FEDERAL FUNDING LEGEND

This invention was produced in part using funds obtained through grants from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Institutes of Health through grant numbers AR44890 and funds from the Veterans Affairs. Consequently, the federal government has certain rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases and maintenance of extracellular matrix and discloses use of intracellular interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonists in the inhibition of degradation of extracellular matrix. More specifically, the present invention discloses the use of peptides of intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist in the inhibition of tissue degradation and treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders.

2. Description of the Related Art

IL-1 is a cytokine which stimulates cells to release pro-inflammatory proteins resulting in joint inflammation and destruction. Because of its central role in causing joint destruction, interleukin-1 is now a target for the treatment of arthritis. IL-1 has a naturally occurring inhibitory protein called IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). This inhibitory protein has two isoforms, a secreted isoform (sIL-1ra) and an intracellular isoform (icIL-1ra), which results from alternate splicing of RNA encoding the amino-termini. The role of the secreted isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist in the inhibition of inflammatory effects of IL-1 is due to its ability to occupy the receptor without transducing a signal.

The ability of sIL-1ra to ameliorate the development of arthritis has been well established. However, almost nothing is known about the function or mode of action of the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist, especially in the regulation of inflammation and degradation of extracellular matrix and the utility of such IL-1 receptor antagonists. The present invention fulfills this long-standing need and desire in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is an intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist. This antagonist comprises a peptide of the intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist or a gene encoding the peptide of the intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist, where the peptide comprises a fragment of the IL-1 receptor antagonist with LVAGY sequence (SEQ ID NO: 42).

In a related embodiment of the present invention, there is a method of inhibiting tissue degradation. This method comprises contacting a cell in a tissue with the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist described supra. Such a contact with the antagonist inhibits the expression of matrix metalloproteinase, thereby inhibiting the tissue degradation. In a further related embodiment of the present invention, there is a pharmaceutical composition. Such a composition comprises the intracellular antagonist described supra and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In yet another related embodiment of the present invention, there is a method of treating a chronic inflammatory disorder in an individual. Such a method comprises administering to the individual a pharmacologically effective amount of the composition described supra. The administration of the composition inhibits the expression of matrix metalloproteinase, such that the inhibition also inhibits tissue degradation, thereby treating the chronic inflammatory disorder in the individual.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a method of treating arthritis in an individual. This method comprises administering to the individual a pharmacologically effective amount of one or more peptides of the intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist or a gene encoding one or more of the peptides of the intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist, where the peptide comprises a fragment of the IL-1 receptor antagonist with LVAGY (SEQ ID NO: 42) sequence. The administration of the peptide(s) or the gene encoding the peptide(s) inhibits the expression of matrix metalloproteinase which also inhibits tissue degradation, thereby treating the arthritis in the individual. Other and further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are given for the purpose of disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows RT-PCR analyses of collagenase (MMP-1) mRNA in pig chondrocytes transfected with adenoviral vectors containing cDNA encoding β-galactosidase (β-gal) or intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra). The cells were stimulated with 10 ng/ml of porcine IL-1β, and IL-1b-induced MMP1 mRNA was dramatically reduced in pig chondrocytes transfected with the intracellular IL-1 receptor antagonist.

FIG. 2 shows RT-PCR analyses of collagenase (MMP-1) mRNA in pig chondrocytes transfected with adenoviral vectors containing cDNA encoding β-galactosidase (β-gal) or intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra). The cells were stimulated with 10 ng/ml of TNF-α, and TNF-a-induced MMP1 mRNA was dramatically reduced in pig chondrocytes transfected with the intracellular IL-1 receptor antagonist.

FIG. 3 shows Western blot analyses of collagenase (MMP-1) production in pig chondrocytes transfected with adenoviral vectors containing cDNA encoding β-galactosidase (β-gal) or intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra). The cells were stimulated with 10 ng/ml of porcine IL-1β, and IL-1{tilde over (b)} induced MMP1 protein were dramatically reduced in pig chondrocytes transfected with the intracellular IL-1 receptor antagonist.

FIG. 4 shows Western blot analyses of collagenase (MMP-1) production in pig chondrocytes transfected with adenoviral vectors containing cDNA encoding β-galactosidase (β-gal) or intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra). The cells were stimulated with 10 ng/ml of TNF-α, and TNF-a-induced MMP1 protein were dramatically reduced in pig chondrocytes transfected with the intracellular IL-1 receptor antagonist.

FIG. 5 shows Western blot analyses of phosphorylation of c-jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) after stimulated with porcine IL-1b (10 ng/ml) for 15 minutes. The result indicates c-jun amino-terminal kinase phosphorylation was inhibited by intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra).

FIG. 6 shows Western blot analyses of phosphorylation of p-38 after stimulation with porcine IL-1b (10 ng/ml) for 15 min. The result indicates p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation was inhibited by intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra).

FIG. 7 shows dermal fibroblasts from patients with scleroderma (SSc) have reduced expression of MMP-1 in the presence and absence of TNF-α. Fibroblasts cultured from the skin of 7 normal donors and involved (fibrotic) skin of 7 patients with scleroderma were stimulated for 48 h with TNF-α (5 ng/ml) and levels of MMP-1 were quantitated by ELISA. The graph represents pooled results from 3 separate experiments in which 1-3 fibroblast lines from normal donors and patients with scleroderma were studied at the same time. Levels of MMP-1 (ng/ml) in supernatants of normal donor fibroblast cultures were compared by Student's t test to levels of MMP-1 in culture supernatants of scleroderma patients' fibroblasts.

FIG. 8A shows impaired MMP-1 protein expression in fibroblasts explanted from involved skin of patients with scleroderma as determined by ELISA. Culture medium from duplicate wells were pooled and analyzed by ELISA for levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1. Fibroblasts obtained from 5 healthy donors (NL) and 4 patients with scleroderma (SSc) were stimulated for 48 hr with IL-1β (250 pg/mL) or TNFα (5 ng/mL).

FIG. 8B shows impaired MMP-1 protein expression in fibroblasts explanted from involved skin of patients with scleroderma as determined by Western blot analysis. Fibroblasts from 1 randomly selected normal (NL) and 1 randomly selected patient with scleroderma (SSc) were cultured with or without IL-1β, TNF-α, or PMA for 48 hr in serum-free medium. Culture supernatants were analyzed on a 12.5% polyacrylamide gel and probed with polyclonal antibodies against MMP-1 and TIMP-1. The MMP-1 and TIMP-1 bands bound by respective specific antibodies were detected in a biotin-streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase color reaction.

FIGS. 9A-B show impaired MMP-1 protein expression in fibroblasts explanted from involved skin of patients with scleroderma as determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Skin fibroblasts were grown from biopsies from involved skin of patients with scleroderma (SSc). Within the first 5 or 8 passages, the fibroblasts were stimulated with IL-β (100 pg/ml) and harvested within 8-12 h. Total RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed, and cDNA amplified using specific primers (Table 1). The PCR products were analyzed on a 2% agarose gel, stained with ethidium bromide, and photographed. FIG. 9A: Lanes 1&9: Normal fibroblasts+PBS; Lanes 2&8: Normal fibroblasts+IL-1β; Lanes 3&7: SSc Fibroblasts+PBS; Lanes 4&6: SSc Fibroblasts+IL-1β; Lane 5: MMP-1 cDNA; and Lane M: MW Markers. The band intensities of the PCR products were measured using a 3-D densitometric scanning device (Alpha Innotech Corporation, San Leandro, Calif., USA). The values are expressed as ratio of MMP-1 to that of the housekeeping gene β-Actin (FIG. 9B).

FIG. 10 shows expression of preIL-1 alpha mRNA in SSc fibroblasts compared to the normal fibroblasts. PCR products from reverse transcribed RNA from unstimulated fibroblasts of two SSc patients (lanes 3 and 4) and two matched controls (lanes 1 and 2) were run on agarose gel. Top panel: PCR with primers for IL-1 alpha. Bottom panel: PCR with primers for alpha-actin.

FIGS. 11A-B show greater levels of cell-associated IL-1alpha and IL-1ra in the SSc fibroblasts than in the control after cytokine stimulation. Fibroblasts were grown to confluence and then cultured with or without 125 pg/ml IL-1 beta or 1 ng/ml F alpha in media containing 5% FCS for 48 hours. Cell layers were washed and disrupted by sonication. ELISAs for IL-1 alpha (FIG. 11A) and IL-1ra (FIG. 11B) were performed on the extract. Unstimulated cells (NS) are not represented in FIG. 11A since the cell associated IL-1 alpha in this number of unstimulated cells was below the limit of the assay.

FIGS. 12A-B show more mRNA for preIL-1 alpha and icIL-1ra in fibroblasts of patients with SSC than in stimulated controls. Total RNA, purified from fibroblasts treated with IL-1, was reverse transcribed. Input of this cDNA was normalized with I-actin. Competitive PCR was performed in presence of 5-fold dilutions of the appropriate internal standard (competitors) using primers for IL-L alpha or icIL-1ra. PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis on 1% agarose gels. Results form one SSc patient and the matched control are shown. Lane 1: Highest concentration of standard (2.4×10¹⁴ M for IL-L alpha, 1×10⁻¹⁵M for icIL-1ra). Lane 5: Lowest concentration of standard. The size of the amplified fragment from the standard (<s) is smaller than that of the cell-derived cDNA (<c). The + below each panel designates the tube in which concentrations of target and competitor are nearest to equivalence.

FIG. 13 shows the presence of IL-L alpha and icIL-1ra mRNA in the SSc fibroblasts at 8, 12 and 16 hours than in the controls by ribonuclease protection assay. Poly (A)+ RNA was prepared from equal numbers of normal and SSc fibroblasts stimulated for indicated times with 250 pg/ml of IL-1 beta. The first lane contains full-length undigested probe at 1/50 dilution, which migrates at the position indicated by >. The position of the fragments protected are indicated on the right:<alpha+precursor IL-1 alpha (336 bases), <ic=icIL-1ra (160 bases0, <G=G3PDH. Band volumes for the protected fragments, normalized G3PDH, are shown below the lanes. The top gel was exposed for 20 hours and the bottom gel was exposed for 1 hour.

FIGS. 14A-B show over-expression of intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra) in stably transfected fibroblasts. Equal number of cells (HF-icIL-1ra and HF-Vector) were stimulated with 1.0 ng/ml of hrIL-1b or 10 ng/ml of hrTNF-a The cells were harvested after 24 hours, lysed in Tri-Reagent (Sigma), and total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed. The cDNAs for icIL-1ra type 1 and the housekeeping gene, GAPDH, were amplified using specific sets of primers (Table 1). The PCR products were analyzed on a 2% gel, stained with ethidium bromide and photographed. The band intensities were determined using a 3-D densitometric scanning device (Alpha Innotech Corporation, San Leandro, Calif., USA). Ratios of icIL-1ra type 1 to GAPDH messages are plotted in FIG. 14A. FIG. 14B shows equal numbers of HF-icIL-1ra and HF-Vector fibroblasts maintained in complete DMEM for 48 hours were harvested and lysed in a solution containing protease inhibitors and 50 mM Tris, 0.1% 3-{(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio}-1proanesulfonate (Sigma Aldrich Chemicals, St. Louis, Mo.), and Non-iodet P-40 pH7.5. The clarified cell lysates were tested for icIL-1ra type 1 by ELISA using reagents obtained from R&D Systems. The optical density values are plotted.

FIG. 15 shows synthesis of appropriate size protein products after transducing the normal fibroblasts with retroviral vectors expressing pre-IL-1 (HDF-preIL-1), expressing icIL-1ra (HDF-icIL-1ra), expressing propeptide region of precursor IL-1 (HDF-IL-1alpha pro) and unmodified vector (HDF-vec). A 10 cm dish of confluent, unstimulated fibroblasts of each type was incubated with methionine-free DMEM containing 2% FBS for 1 hr, followed by addition of 200 μCi/ml of ³⁵S-methionine for 1 hr followed by lysis with detergent and immunoprecipitation of the cell extracts and SDS-PAGE analysis. Panel A: HDF-preIL-1 alpha and HDF-vec lysates immunoprecipitated with anti-IL-1 alpha. Panel B: HDF-icIL-1ra and HDF-vec lysates immunoprecipitated with anti-IL-1ra. Panel C: HDF-IL-1 alpha pro and HDF-vec lysates immunoprecipitated with rabbit antibody against recombinant IL-1 propeptide.

FIG. 16 shows that icIL-1ra is upregulated by preIL-1 alpha. RPA was performed on poly(A)+ prepared from HDF-vec and HDF-preIL-1 alpha stimulated for indicated times with 125 pg/ml of IL-1 beta First lane contains full-length probe at 1/50 dilution, which migrates to the position indicated by>. The positions of the protected fragments are indicated on the right:<s=sIL-1ra, <ic=isIL-1ra, <G=G3PDH. Band volumes for fragments protected by icIL-1ra mRNA normalized to G3PDH are shown below the lanes.

FIG. 17 shows that HDF-preIL-1 alpha have impaired MMP-1 production in response to stimulation. Confluent monolayers of fibroblasts were stimulated with 1 ng/ml hrIL-1 beta or 1 ng/ml hrTNF alpha for 72 hrs in media containing 5% FCS. The culture media was then analyzed for MMP-1 and TIMP-1 by ELISA.

FIG. 18 shows that HDF-icIL-1ra have impaired MMP-1 production in response to stimulation. The same procedure as described above was followed and the MMP-1 and TIMP-1 production in HDF-icIL-1ra and HDF-vec was compared by ELISA.

FIG. 19 shows the inability of the icIL-1ra peptides to compete with [¹²⁵I] IL-1 beta for binding to type I IL-1 receptors on murine cells. EL46.1 cells were incubated at 4° C. in presence of the sodium azide for 2 hr with and without each of the IL-1ra peptides or with soluble human recombinant interleukin 1ra (shrIL-1ra) as a control. Cells were then incubated with [¹²⁵I]hrIL-1, transferred to microfuge tubes containing phthalolate oil, centrifuged and free and bound radioactivity determined. Non-specific binding was determined in the presence of 100× excess concentration of cold hrIL-1 beta.

FIG. 20 shows that none of the IL-1ra peptides inhibited the IL-1α stimulation of proliferation of D10.G4.1 T cells. An hour prior to the addition of hrIL-1α, the IL-1ra peptides were added to cultures of murine T cell line, D10.G4.1 and ³H thymidine incorporation was quantitated.

FIG. 21 shows that IL-1ra peptide 1-35 (SEQ ID NO: 13) inhibited IL-1 induced collagenase synthesis by dermal fibroblasts. Confluent fibroblast monolayer cultures were treated for 2 hr with IL-1ra peptides and cultured for 48 h with hrIL-1β. Collagenase protein was measured in culture supernatants by ELISA.

FIG. 22 shows that IL-1ra peptides inhibited the hrIL-1β-stimulated TIMP-1 production by fibroblasts. TIMP-1 was measured in the same fibroblast culture supernatants as in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 shows that IL-1ra peptide 60-90 (SEQ ID NO: 15) inhibited IL-1 induced fibroblast synthesis of PGE2. Confluent fibroblast monolayer cultures were preincubated with IL-1ra peptides for 2 h and then with hrIL-1β for 24 h. PGE2 was quantitated by RIA.

FIG. 24 shows that IL-1ra peptide 60-90 (SEQ ID NO: 15) inhibited ICAM-1 expression on human dermal fibroblasts. Confluent fibroblast monolayers were cultured for 16 h with IL-1ra peptides and then for 24 h with IL-1β. ICAM expression on fibroblast monolayers was then quantitated.

FIGS. 25A-C show reduced expression of MMP-1 mRNA in fibroblasts over-expressing icIL-1r type 1. FIG. 25A shows infant foreskin fibroblasts transfected with icIL-1ra type 1 (HF-icIL-1ra) or control (HF-VECTOR) were stimulated with 1.0 ng/ml IL-1b, 5.0 or 15 ng/ml TNF-α (TNF-α 1 & 2 respectively) for 12-16 h. The fibroblasts were harvested, lysed in Tri-Reagent (Sigma Aldrich Chemicals, St. Louis, Mo.), and total RNA was extracted. cDNA was synthesized using Oligo dT and AMV reverse transcriptase (Promega, Madison, Wis.). Using specific primers listed in Table 1, MMP-1 and GAPDH messages were estimated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The data are represented as the ratio of MMP-1 to GAPDH (the housekeeping gene). FIG. 25B shows results of a two-step real time RT-PCR performed by a fluorogenic 5′ nuclease assay using TaqMan PCR reagents obtained from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). The reactions were performed according to manufacture's protocol. Each sample was assayed in duplicate. The housekeeping gene GAPDH was used as a control to normalize the amount of RNA present in various test samples. Higher Ct ratios indicate lower levels of mRNA. FIG. 25C shows equal numbers of HF-Vector and HF-icIL-1ra were stimulated with hrIL-1b (1.0 ng/ml) or hrTNF-a (10.0 ng/ml), and the cells were harvested after 12-16 h. Total cellular RNA was isolated using Tri-Reagent. Labeled probes for housekeeping genes (GAPDH & L32) and MMP-1 were transcribed from respective linearized plasmids using T7 RNA polymerase in the presence of α³²P-UTP (RPA, Pharmingen). After hybridization and digestion, protected probes were resolved by PAGE on urea-acrylamide gel. The bands were visualized, and the intensities of the bands were quantified using a Bio-Rad Model GS-505 phosphor imager (Bio-Rad, Herculis, Calif., USA). The results are expressed after normalizing the intensities of MMP-1 bands from various samples to that of the housekeeping genes (GAPDH or L32) in respective samples.

FIG. 26 shows reduced levels of MMP-1 mRNA in human fibroblasts over-expressing icIL-1ra type 1 upon exposure to PMA or TNF-a. Equal numbers of fibroblasts were seeded in 12-well plates. Once the cells were attached and the cell monolayers reached 80% confluence, fibroblasts were stimulated for 12-16 hr with TNF-α (10 ng/ml) or PMA (5 ng/ml or 10 ng/ml). Total RNA was then harvested using Tri-Reagent. Messenger RNA was reverse transcribed using AMV reverse transcriptase and oligo dT (Promega, Madison, Wis.). The cDNAs were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific sets of primers (Table 1). The PCR products were run on a 2% agarose gel, and the gel was stained with ethidium bromide. The specific bands of each message were scanned, and the density of bands was measured using Alpha Innotech Imaging System (Foster City, Calif.). The bar graphs represent values expressed as ratios of MMP-1 message to that of the housekeeping gene GAPDH.

FIG. 27 shows reduced levels of MMP-1 protein in human fibroblasts over-expressing icIL-1ra type 1. MMP-1 protein secreted into the culture medium was measured by ELISA. After 48 h treatment with hrIL-1β or hrTNF-α, culture supernatants were collected and cleared by centrifugation at 18000×g for 30 min at 4° C. Cleared supernatants were treated with protease inhibitors and stored at −800° C. until tested.

FIG. 28 shows human fibroblasts transfected with icIL-ra type 1 and treated with antisense oligonucleotide directed towards icIL-1ra type 1 upregulate MMP-1 mRNA when stimulated with IL-1β. Phosphorothioate-derivatized antisense oligodeoxynucleotide complimentary to −6 to +12 of the natural icIL-1ra was synthesized and purified by HPLC Integrated DNA Technologies Inc. (Coralville, Iowa). As a control, antisense oligonucleotide with a scrambled sequence was prepared by a similar method. Fibroblasts over-expressing icIL-1ra type 1 were transfected with 300 mM of antisense icIL-1ra type 1 oligonucleotide (24 h prior to stimulation with 100 pg/ml of IL-1 beta) using LipofectAMINE™ protocol. PBS and LipofectAMINE™ alone served as additional controls. The cells were harvested 12-18 h after stimulation for RNA extraction. Total RNA was reverse transcribed and MMP-1 mRNA was estimated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

FIG. 29A-B show over-expression of icIL-1ra in fibroblasts transfected with plasmid encoding icIL-1ra FIG. 29A shows results of RT-PCR where equal number of cells (HF-icIL-1ra and HF-vector) were stimulated with 0, 1.0 ng of hrIL-1β or 10 ng/ml of hrTNF-α. After 24 h, total RNA was extracted and mRNA levels of icIL-1ra and GAPDH were estimated by real time RT-PCR. FIG. 29B shows the results of ELISA where equal numbers of HF-icIL-1ra and HF-Vector fibroblasts maintained in complete DMEM for 48 h were harvested and lysed. The clarified cell lysates were tested for icIL-1ra type 1 by ELISA. The error bars indicate mean± SD of three separate experiments on the same batch of stably transfected fibroblasts.

FIG. 30A-F show myofibroblast-like morphology of icIL-1ra transfected fibroblasts. FIG. 30A shows control fibroblasts (HF-Vector) with normal spindle-shaped fibroblast morphology after maintaining in complete DMEM for 6 week with medium change once in 5 days. FIG. 30B shows fibroblasts over expressing icIL-1ra (HF-icIL-1ra) with myofibroblast-like morphology. Cells were fixed and permeabilized (cytofix/cytoperm) and were subjected to immunoperoxidase staining with mouse anti-human α-SMA (Sigma) clone 1A4 monoclonal antibody followed by color reaction developed by streptavidin-horseradish-peroxidase system. Cells were visualized under phase contrast microscopy after Coomassie brilliant blue staining. FIGS. 30C and 30D show HF-Vector with little α-SMA staining; FIGS. 30E and 30F show HF-icIL-1ra with α-SMA staining.

FIG. 31 show enhanced levels of α-SMA mRNA in icIL-1ra over expressing fibroblasts. Fibroblasts overexpressing icIL-1ra (HF-icIL-1ra) and control fibroblasts (HF-Vector) were maintained in complete DMEM for 6 week with a medium change once every 5 days. Cells were harvested and total cellular RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed. The cDNA thus obtained was amplified and quantified by real-time PCR. The values are expressed as ratios of Ct values for α-SMA to that of the Ct value of GAPDH. The values indicate mean±SD of three independent experiments performed on same batch of stably transfected fibroblasts.

FIG. 32 shows enhanced levels of PAI mRNA in icIL-1ra over expressing fibroblasts. Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) mRNA levels were assessed by real time RT-PCR on cDNA obtained from the same fibroblasts used for α-SMA estimation. The values are expressed as ratios of Ct values for PAI to that of Ct value of the housekeeping gene GAPDH. The values indicate mean±SD of three independent experiments performed on same batch of stably transfected fibroblasts.

FIG. 33 shows reduced expression of MMP-1 mRNA in fibroblasts overexpressing icIL-1ra. Infant foreskin fibroblasts were transfected with icIL-1ra type 1 (HF-icIL-1ra) and control (HF-Vector) was stimulated with 1.0 ng/ml IL-1β or 10 ng/ml TNF-α for 12-16 h. MP-1 and GAPDH message levels were estimated using real-time RT-PCR. Three separate experiments were performed on same batch of stably transfected fibroblasts. The results are represented as the reciprocal of the ratios of the Ct values of MMP-1 to GAPDH.

FIG. 34 shows reduced level of MMP-1 protein in human fibroblasts over expressing icIL-1ra type 1. Fibroblasts were cultured for 48 h with hrIL-1β(1.0 ng/ml) or hrTNF-α (5 ng/ml) and MMP-1 protein secreted into the culture medium was measured by ELISA.

FIG. 35 shows human fibroblasts transfected with icIL-1ra type 1 and treated with antisense oligonucleotide directed towards icIL-1ra upregulates MMP-1 mRNA when stimulated with IL-1β. Fibroblasts over-expressing icIL-1ra type 1 were transfected with different concentrations of antisense icIL-1ra type 1 oligonucleotide (24 h prior to stimulation with IL-1β) using LipofectAMINE. PBS alone, LipofectAMINE alone and treatment with oligonucleotide having scrambled sequence served as controls. The cells were harvested 12-18 h after stimulation for RNA extraction. Total RNA was reverse transcribed and MMP-1 mRNA was estimated by real time RT-PCR. The values indicate mean±SD of three independent experiments performed on same batch of transfected geneticin selected fibroblasts (LIPO: LipofectAMINE alone, ANTIS-LIP: Antisense icIL-1ra oligonucleotide+LipofectAMINE, SCRAM-LIP: Scrambled oligonucleotide+LipofectAMINE).

FIG. 36 shows that icIL-1ra expression downregulates c-fos and c-jun mRNA expression. Twenty-four hours prior to stimulation with IL-1β, fibroblasts over-expressing icIL-1ra (HF-icIL-1ra) were treated with (A) PBS, (B) LipofectAMINE, (C) LipofectAMINE+antisense oligonucleotide directed against icIL-1ra mRNA and (D) LipofectAMINE+scrambled oligonucleotide. Total RNA was isolated 6 h after IL-1β stimulation, reverse transcribed and the cDNA was amplified using specific primers. The PCR products obtained from the exponential phase of amplification (28-32 cycles) was analyzed on 2% agarose gel and stained with ethidium bromide. Lanes 1: c-fos, 2: c-jun, 3: Jun B. The experiment was performed two times on the same batch of stably transfected fibroblasts. M: PCR Markers (2000 bp-50 bp).

FIG. 37 shows that icIL-1ra plays an important role in suppressing experimental autoimmune arthritis pathway. DBA/1-QCII24 transgenic mice for a type II collagen T cell receptor were immunized with type II collagen and seven days later one of the hind paw was injected with an adenoviral vector containing cDNA encoding the predominant form of icIL-1ra. The right paw severity scores of mice injected with beta-galactosidase were compared with the paws of the mice injected with icIL-1ra.

FIG. 38 compares severity of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in all paws in DBA/1 mice that had received recombinant adenovirus encoding human icILra or beta galactosidase in the right rear ankle following immunization with type II collagen. Severity of arthritis in the animals was determined visually on a scale of 0-4 with a score of 4 being the highest amount of inflammation and swelling of the paw.

FIG. 39 shows that IL-1ra peptides suppressed arthritis in murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. Groups of 12 mice were treated with subcutaneous injections of NLS-IL-1ra 1-35 (SEQ ID NO: 18), NLS-IL-1ra 30-37 (SEQ ID NO: 42) or IL-1ra 37-30 (SEQ ID NO: 43) as a control beginning day 22 to day 50. Mice were injected once each consecutive 5 days out of each week. Mean arthritic score is shoon. P values are determined by Students' t test.

FIGS. 40A-B show that constant delivery of synthetic IL-1ra peptides reduces incidence and severity of arthritis in murine CIA models as demonstrated by the delay of CIA in DBA/1 mice infused with NLS-IL-1ra 1-35 peptide (SEQ ID NO: 18). The mice (total=20) were immunized by subcutaneous injection at the base of the tail with 100 μg/ml of bovine CII in CFA at day 0. At day 20, an Alzet Osmotic pump-2004 containing 1.67 mg NLS-IL-1ra (1-35) peptide (SEQ ID NO: 18) in 200 microliters D5W solvent (n=10) or the solvent alone (n=10) was surgically inserted subcutaneously in each of 10 mice. Beginning at 21 days after immunization, mice were monitored for the severity (FIG. 40A) and incidence (FIG. 40B) of arthritis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) are important inflammatory enzymes that are directly involved in degradation of matrix in chronic inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, degenerative intervertebral disc disorders and chronic skin ulcers in diabetic and bedridden patients. Therefore lowering matrix metalloproteinase levels can be a way to protect cartilage and inhibit tissue destruction in these disorders. Collagenase is a matrix metalloproteinase that is involved in the degradation of collagen. Hence, the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist plays an important role in the control of cartilage degradation.

The present invention demonstrated that SSc fibroblasts constitutively expressed intracellular preIL-alpha and also exhibited enhanced upregulation of icIL-1ra after stimulation by IL-1beta or TNF alpha. The decreased basal collagenase in SSc fibroblasts was demonstrated by the refractoriness of MMP-1 to IL-1β- and TNFα-induction in these cells as compared to normal fibroblasts. Further, normal fibroblasts transduced to constitutively express preIL-1 alpha, also exhibited the same enhanced upregulation of icIL-1ra and same defect in Mmp-1 induction as in SSc fibroblasts. Furthermore, the present invention demonstrated a relationship between intracellular preIL-1 alpha and icIL-1ra in modulating fibroblast responses to exogenous IL-1. Specifically, the normal fibroblast constitutively expressing icIL-1ra showed the same defect in MMP-1 production as SSc fibroblast. Thus, the data discussed herein showed that the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist repressed the expression of collagenase (MMP-1) stimulated by potent inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β or TNF-a.

Additionally, the present invention also demonstrated the involvement of c-fos, c-jun and JunB in transcriptional regulation of MMP-1, thereby suggesting that the reduction in the IL-1-induced MMP-1 production in human fibroblasts by icIL-1ra was due to its effect on the levels of these transcription factors. The present invention contemplates determining the amount and activity of Ap-1 complexes present in stimulated cells as well as the ability of fos and Jun family members to bind to the two Ap-1 sequences, which are active in the Mmp-1 promoter. It further contemplates examining the levels of other genes known to affect collagenase expression using DNA microarray analysis of mRNA from stimulated and unstimulated cultures of normal and SSc fibroblasts.

Although a form of secreted isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist called “anakinra” is currently approved by the FDA and marketed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, it is not very effective. Anakinra works solely by blockade of the cell surface receptors for IL-1 and does not enter the cell or have any intracellular functions. Currently, gene therapy using viral vectors has drawbacks; however, transfection of cDNA that is not virally delivered or integrated in the cellular DNA can be accomplished for topical applications such as bedsores, diabetic ulcers or peripheral vascular disease using a high-pressure delivery system (“Genegun”).

The present invention also examined the effect of peptide fragments of icIL-1ra on the collagenase pathway in vitro and the effect of cDNA for icIL-1ra and the peptide fragments invivo and a reversal of the effect of icIL-1ra using an antisense to icIL-1ra. The present invention demonstrated that in vitro the synthetic oligopeptides representing the conserved 152 amino acid sequence of 3 out of the 4 variants of human IL-1ra failed to compete with hrIL-1β for binding to IL-1R receptors on murine EL4 6.1 cells, yet the oligopeptide representing amino acid residues 1-35 (SEQ ID NO: 13) of IL-1ra blocked IL-1β stimulation of collagenase production by fibroblasts but not PGE₂ or ICAM-1 synthesis or IL-1-induced proliferation of the D10.G4.1 T cell line. Similarly, the oligopeptide representing residues 60-90 (SEQ ID NO: 15) of IL-1ra blocked IL-1β stimulation of fibroblast PGE₂ and ICAM-1 production but failed to block IL-1β-induced collagenase production and TIMP-1 by fibroblasts. Additionally, IL-1ra 60-90 (SEQ ID NO: 15) did not block IL-1-induced proliferation of the D10.G4.1 T cell line.

Since most stromal cells do not express mRNA for any of the IL-1ra variants constitively (Arend and Coll, 1991), the effects of IL-1ra oligopeptides can be assessed in these cells. In normal dermal fibroblasts, IL-1α and β are known to stimulate proliferation, induction of ICAM-1, and synthesis of collagen, hyaluronic acid (HA), collagenase, TIMP, and PGE₂. The function of sIL-1ra in vivo is likely to balance or diminish IL-1 effects on target cells. Large amounts of sIL-1ra are required (usually 10-100 fold or more than the concentration of IL-1) to block the response of a variety of target cells to IL-1 (Arend et al., 1989). This large excess of IL-1ra is needed to saturate all IL-1Rs. Only a small number of IL-1Rs need to be occupied for IL-1 to exert its effect on most target cells (Arend and Coll, 1991. The function of icIL-1ra in epithelial cells is not understood at present, but it has been suggested by that icIL-1ra may be an antagonist of intracellular-generated IL-1 (Haskill et al., 1991). This suggestion is strengthened by several lines of related experimental evidence, namely 1) there may be nuclear receptors for IL-1, 2) membrane-bound IL-1 is translocated in a biologically active form with its receptor to the nucleus of fibroblasts and lymphocytes, and 3) an intracellular role for IL-1α in promoting cell senescence has been suggested since the life span of endothelial cells transfected with an IL-1α antisense oligomer is prolonged (Maier et al., 1990).

Secreted IL-1ra has been shown to bind to the type I IL-1R on the murine thymoma cell line, EL4.IL-2 with an affinity (K_(p)=150 pM) approximately equal to that of IL-1α and β for these cells (Dripps et al., 1991). On EL-4.IL-2 cells, surface bound IL-1ra is not internalized, in contrast to IL-1 which is internalized after binding to surface IL-1Rs. Whether secreted IL-1ra is internalized when it binds to type I IL-1R on fibroblasts remains to be established. Also, when secreted IL-1ra binds to type I IL-1Rs on murine 3T3 cells, it fails to activate the protein kinase activity responsible for down modulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor on these cells, further evidence that IL-1ra does not likely have agonist activity on cells expressing I IL-1Rs.

The secreted form of IL-1ra has been shown to antagonize a number of IL-1-related activities in vitro and in vivo including inhibition of collagenase and PGE₂ synthesis and expression of ICAM-1 by fibroblasts, IL-1-stimulated thymocytes and T cells, bone resorption in mice and rats, cartilage matrix degradation, etc. (Hong et al., 1993; Dinarello et al., 1991). IL-1ra has also been shown to block IL-1-induced ICAM-1 expression on fibroblasts and somnogenic and pyrogenic responses in rabbits to IL-1β and the IL-1β somnogenic fragment 208-240 [Opp et al., 1992].

In monocytes, production of secreted IL1ra and IL-1β are differentially regulated. Small amounts of serum added to cultures of monocytes do not raise production of IL-1β, but increases sIL-1ra production by seven fold (Poutsiaka et al., 1991). IgG and GMCSF have no significant effect on production of IL-1β by monocytes, but they elevate production of secreted IL-1ra by 18 fold (Jenkins and Arend, 1993). Endotoxin is a potent stimulus for production of both IL-1β and secreted IL-1ra as are IL-4 and TGFβ. IL-4 suppresses LPS induced IL-1β production by peripheral blood monocytes but synergizes with LPS in increasing secreted IL-1ra synthesis.

Structure-function studies of limited degree have been performed on IL-1ra using site-directed mutagenesis. In such a study, a change of Lys to Asp at residue 145 of secreted IL-1ra caused IL-1ra to exhibit some agonist properties of IL-1 (Ju et al., 1991). The results obtained using [¹²⁵I] IL-1 beta and IL-1ra 1-35 in the present invention indicated that this peptide did not competitively inhibit the binding of [¹²⁵I] IL-1 beta to its plasma membrane receptor, but was taken up by fibroblasts, and localized to the vesicles, cytosol and nucleus. Thus, it is hypothesized that peptides containing the IL-1ra 60-90 (SEQ ID NO: 15) or LVAGY (SEQ ID NO: 42) sequences are taken up by the fibroblasts and are localized to sites within the cell where they selectively interfere with intracellular signaling induced by IL-1 and other cytokines such as TNFα and bFGF. The present invention contemplates exploring these mechanisms.

With regards to the in vivo effects, the present invention demonstrated that administration of an adenoviral vector containing icIL-1ra into the hind paws of DBA/1 QCII24 mice transgenic for a type II collagen T cell receptor subsequent to immunization with CII ameliorated arthritis in the injected paws. This conclusion was based on the comparison of hind paws of mice that were injected with the control virus containing cDNA encoding for β-galactosidase. It was possible that the expressed icIL-1ra “leaked out” of chondrocytes or cells in the synovium and, therefore, blocked type I IL-1 cell surface receptors much the same as sIL-1ra competes and partially suppress arthritis via this mechanism (Carter et al., 1990; Eisenberg et al., 1990). However, the present invention by demonstrating that synthetic oligopeptides of IL-1ra containing the amino acid sequence (LVAGY; SEQ ID NO: 42) ameliorated CIA strongly suggested that these peptides were acting by mechanisms other than blocking IL-1 binding to type I cell surface receptors on chondrocytes and synovial cells, since these peptides have been shown to not compete with IL-1β for binding IL-1 receptors on a murine T cell line EL-4 6.1. Since LVAGY (SEQ ID NO: 42)-containing peptides decreased MMP-1 production by fibroblasts stimulated by IL-1β, TNFα or bFGF, signals from MMP-1 upregulation by synovial fibroblasts and perhaps chondrocytes generated by IL-1, TNFα and bFGF or perhaps other cytokines in the CIA arthritic joint might be inhibited by treatment of CIA mice with these peptides. The IL-1ra peptides 1-35 (SEQ ID NO: 13) and smaller peptides of this fragment were taken up by fibroblasts and is present in the cytosol and nuclear fractions as discussed herein. They could act intracellularly to inhibit MMP-1 mRNA transcription, as shown for icIL-1ra. Thus, LVAGY (SEQ ID NO: 42) containing oligopeptides might offer a therapeutic advantage over sIL-1ra in CIA by inhibiting MMP-1 production to a variety of stimuli.

Thus, synthetic LVAGY (SEQ ID NO: 42) containing peptides can be used in the treatment of human rheumatoid arthritis. However, the use of such a peptide would require frequent administration. Since the small NSL-sIL-1ra 30-37 peptide was effective in reducing arthritis in the CIA model, it would be small enough to be absorbed across the nasal mucosa. Hence, it might be delivered via nasal spray to patients with RA much like salmon calcitonin is administered to treat osteoporosis (45). Thus, the results discussed herein indicate that overexpression of the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist by localized gene therapy would have dramatic effects by stopping tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis, other arthritides, degenerative intervertebral disc disease and in disorders such as chronic skin ulcers that occurs in diabetes mellitus and bed ridden patients.

Further, the observation that over-expression of icIL-1ra type I in normal fibroblasts induces a myofibroblast phenotype is novel and important to tissue repair and fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are abundant in granulation tissue of healing wounds, in organs undergoing fibrosis such as lung, kidney, liver, bone marrow and eye. They also comprise a large portion of fibroblasts in dermal lesions of SSc. They are also known to express plasminogen activator inhibitor (Chuang-Tsai et al., 2003). The present invention demonstrated that overexpression of icIL-1ra induced a myofibroblast phenotype with characteristic morphology and enhanced expression of α-SMA and PAI. Hence, the mechanism involved in icIL-1ra mediated upregulation of α-SMA and myofibroblast differentiation will also be studied.

The present invention is directed to an intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist, comprising: a peptide of the intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist or a gene encoding the peptide of the intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist, where the peptide comprises a fragment of the IL-1 receptor antagonist with LVAGY sequence (SEQ ID NO: 42). The gene encoding the peptide may encode one or more than one fragments of the IL-1 receptor antagonist. Generally, the gene is in a viral vector or in a non-viral vector. Example of the viral vector is not limited to but includes an adenoviral vector. Further, it is routine in the art to incorporate gene encoding peptides in non-viral vectors. Therefore, one of skill in the art may incorporate the peptide sequences of the present invention in any of the known non-viral vectors known in the art using methods that are routine in the art. Thus, one of skill in the art may use non-viral gene delivery system such as high-pressure gene delivery system (“Genegun”). Other non-viral methods of gene delivery include, but are not limited to, electroporation (Tur-Kaspa et al., Mol. Cell Biol. 6:716-8 (1986); Potter et al., PNAS 81:7161-5 (1984)), direct microinjection (Harland et al., J Cell Biol. 101:1094-9 (1985)), DNA-loaded liposomes (Nicolau et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 721:185-90 (1982); Fraley et al., PNAS 76:3348-52 (1979)), and receptor-mediated transfection (Wu and Wu, J Biol. Chem. 262:4429-32 (1987); Wu and Wu Biochemistry 27:887-92 (1988)). Furthermore, the peptide has a sequence shown in SEQ ID Nos. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 42 or 43.

The present invention is further directed to a method of inhibiting tissue degradation, comprising: contacting a cell in a tissue with the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist described supra, where the contact with the antagonist inhibits the expression of matrix metalloproteinase, thereby inhibiting the tissue degradation. Generally, such a method involves overexpressing the gene encoding the peptides of the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist. Furthermore, the tissue degradation is a component of a chronic inflammatory disorder, wherein the disorder is arthritis, degenerative intervertebral disc disease or chronic skin ulcers. Additionally, the matrix metalloproteinase is collagenase.

The present invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical composition, comprising: the intracellular antagonist described supra and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention is further directed to a method of treating a chronic inflammatory disorder in an individual, comprising: administering to the individual a pharmacologically effective amount of the composition described supra, where the administration of the composition inhibits the expression of matrix metalloproteinase, where the inhibition inhibits tissue degradation, thereby treating the chronic inflammatory disorder in the individual. Generally, the matrix metalloproteinase is collagenase. Examples of the representative routes of administration of the antagonist includes but is not limited to subcutaneous, intraarticular, intradiscal, nasal, oral, transdermal patch or topical.

The present invention is directed to a method of treating arthritis in an individual, comprising: administering to the individual a pharmacologically effective amount of one or more peptides of the intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist or a gene encoding one or more of the peptides of the intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist, where the peptide comprises a fragment of the IL-1 receptor antagonist with LVAGY sequence (SEQ ID NO: 42), where the administration of the peptide(s) or the gene encoding the peptide(s) inhibits the expression of matrix metalloproteinase, where the inhibition inhibits tissue degradation, thereby treating the arthritis in the individual. Generally, the gene is in a viral vector or in a non-viral vector. Examples of the viral vector are not limited to but include an adenoviral vector. Additionally, the peptide has a sequence shown in SEQ ID Nos. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 42 or 43. Examples of the route of administration of the peptide or the gene include but is not limited to subcutaneous, intraarticular, intradiscal, nasal, oral, transdermal patch and topical.

As used herein, the term “contacting” refers to any suitable method of bringing an antagonist into contact with IL-1 receptor. In in vitro or ex vivo, this is achieved by exposing cells expressing IL-1 receptor to the antagonist in a suitable medium. For in vivo applications, any known method of administration is suitable.

In general, in order to effect expression of the intracellular antagonist, constructs encoding the antagonist must be delivered into a cell. Various methods of gene delivery are known in the art. For example, a preparation comprising a physiologically acceptable carrier and a naked polynucleotide coding for an intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist can be introduced into the interstitial space of a tissue comprising the cell, whereby the naked polynucleotide is taken up into the interior of the cell and has a physiological effect. In another embodiment, the transfer of a naked polynucleotide may be proceeded via particle bombardment, said particles being DNA-coated microprojectiles accelerated to a high velocity that allows them to pierce cell membranes and enter cells without killing them (Klein et al., Curr. Genet. 17:97-103 (1990)). In a further embodiment, the polynucleotide of the invention may be entrapped and delivered in a liposome (Ghosh and Bacchawat, Targeted Diagn. Ther. 4:87-103 (1991); Wong et al., Gene 10:87-94 (1980); Nicolau et al., Methods Enzymol. 149:157-76 (1987)).

The following examples are given for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments of the invention and are not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion. The present examples, along with the methods, procedures, treatments, molecules, and specific compounds described herein are presently representative of preferred embodiments. One skilled in the art will appreciate readily that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those objects, ends and advantages inherent herein. Changes therein and other uses which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims will occur to those skilled in the art.

Example 1 Inhibition of Collagenase Expression in Pig Articular Chondrocytes by Intracellular Isoform of IL-1 Receptor Antagonist

Chondrocytes were isolated from pig articular cartilage and cultured in monolayer. DNA encoding intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist and LacZ were subcloned into adenoviral vectors that were transfected into pig chondrocytes. Cells were infected with adenoviral vector 24 hours before stimulating with 10 ng/ml porcine IL-1β at a multiplicity of infection that gave a transfection efficiency of 90% as monitored by immunostaining with IL-1 receptor antagonist antibodies. Production of intracellular IL-1 receptor antagonist protein was determined by western blot analyses after transfection. Culture supernatants were removed and the cells were solubilized for Western blot analyses. Blots were scanned and quantitated using a Storm Phosphor Imaging detection system and computer-based image analysis software.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, normal chondrocytes showed a huge increase of collagenase (MMP-1) expression after treatment with 10 ng/ml of porcine IL-1β or TNF-a, whereas chondrocytes over-expressing intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist were able to inhibit that increase of collagenase protein. Next, intracellular signaling was examined in order to determine the mechanism of collagenase inhibition by the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, c-jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity and p38 activation, which were increased by porcine IL-1β stimulation, were blocked by in cells transfected with the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist.

Example 2 Impaired Collagenase Expression in Dermal Fibroblasts Explanted from Patients with Scleroderma

Scleroderma is an immune-mediated disease (autoimmunity to matrix proteins and other antigens) characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition (particularly collagen) in skin and internal organs. Reduced collagenase activity may be one of the factors resulting in increased collagen deposition in the interstitium of the skin of patients with scleroderma. Hence, the present example examines the expression of collagenase in dermal fibroblasts obtained from patients with scleroderma.

Dermal fibroblasts were obtained from infant foreskins by conventional explant culture techniques and grown in Eagle's minimal essential medium (EMEM) containing Earl's balanced salt solution, 22 mM HEPES buffer, nonessential amino acids (NEAA), 0.05 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 ug/ml streptomycin, and 9% fetal bovine serum (FBS), hereafter referred to as “Complete EMEM”. Dermal fibroblasts derived from explants of involved skin from scleroderma patients or from adult normal donors were explanted and maintained in RPMI 1640 (Invitrogen, Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.) containing 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin, 10 ug/ml gentamicin, 22 mM HEPES, 0.05 mM sodium pyruvate, nonessential amino acids, 2 mM L-glutamine, 50 μM 2-mercaptoethanol, and 9% FBS hereafter referred to as “complete RPMI”. Fibroblasts between 5 to 10 subpassages were used.

The effects of TNF-α on the production of collagenase (MMP-1) protein were examined in dermal fibroblasts derived from normal donors and patients with scleroderma. A marked difference in both the constitutive and TNF-α-stimulated production of MMP-1 protein was observed (FIG. 7), with fibroblasts from patients with scleroderma producing significantly less constitutive and TNF-α-stimulated MMP-1 (p<0.0005 for each).

Production of MMP-1 was examined by ELISA as described below. Fibroblasts were harvested by trypsinization from stock cultures and added to wells of 24-well tissue culture plates (Corning Inc., Corning, N.Y.) at a plating density of 10⁵ cells per well in 500 μl of Complete EMEM. After 3 days culture, when cells were ≧80% confluent, the medium was changed to complete EMEM containing 5% FCS for 24 h, at which time medium was again changed to fresh Complete EMEM containing 5% FCS (450 μl per well). Stimulants such as human recombinant TNF-α (2.5 ng in 50 μl PBS containing 0.1% BSA) (R & D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.), human recombinant IL-1β (125 pg in 50 μl PBS containing 0.1% BSA) (R & D Systems) or 50 μl PBS containing 0.1% BSA were each added to duplicate wells. Fibroblasts were cultured for 48 hours, after which culture supernatants were carefully removed and frozen at −80° until assayed for MMP-1 or TIMP-1 protein by ELISA. MMP-1 and TIMP-1 proteins secreted into the culture medium were measured by ELISA as described (Clark et al., 1985; Postlethwaite et al., 1988).

As shown in FIG. 8, the MMP-1 protein levels in the culture supernatants 48 hours following stimulation with IL-1β or TNF-α were significantly reduced in fibroblasts derived from the skin of patients with scleroderma compared to fibroblasts derived from the skin of normal donors, as measured by ELISA (FIG. 8A). However, the expression of TIMP-1 protein, a potent inhibitor of MMP-1, was not significantly different between fibroblasts derived from involved skin of patients with scleroderma and normal skin as measured by ELISA (FIG. 8A). Western blot performed on a randomly selected scleroderma and normal donor fibroblast lines confirmed the results obtained by ELISA (FIG. 8B).

Levels of MMP-1 mRNA were examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR as described below. Total cellular RNA was isolated using Tri Reagent (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.). cDNA was synthesized from total RNA using reverse transcription reaction (RT) employing AMV reverse transcriptase and oligo dT (18) (Promega, Madison, Wis.). cDNA thus obtained was diluted 1:5 and 1:20 in sterile deionized water. Equal volumes of diluted and undiluted cDNA samples were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The primer sequences are given in Table 1. PCR was run for 25, 28, 30, and 35 cycles using specific sets of primers.

The sense and antisense primer sequences and annealing temperatures used for various messages are presented in Table 1. The housekeeping enzyme gene GAPDH served as internal control to correct for possible variation of total RNA amount used in each message assay. The PCR products were run on a 2% agarose gel and stained with ethidium bromide. The gel bands obtained from optimal amplification (exponential phase) of each message were scanned, and the density was measured using an Alpha Innotech Imaging System (Foster City, Calif.). The values were expressed as ratios of specific message to that of the housekeeping genes, GAPDH or β-Actin.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the presence or absence of IL-1b stimulation, very low expression of MMP-1 mRNA as determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR was detected in fibroblasts derived from patients with scleroderma.

TABLE 1 Primer Sequences Used In Semi-Quantitative RT-PCR GAPDH Sense: GCAGGGGGGAGCCAAAAGGG (SEQ ID NO: 1) Antisense: TGCCAGCCCCAGCGTCAAAG (SEQ ID NO: 2) b-Actin Sense: GTGGGCCGCCCCAGGCACCA (SEQ ID NO: 3) Antisense: CTCCTTAATGTCACGCACGAT (SEQ ID NO: 4) icIL-1ra type 1 Sense: CCACCATGGCTTTAGAGACCATC (SEQ ID NO: 5) Antisense: CTACTCGTCCTCCTGGAAGTA (SEQ ID NO: 6) sIL-1ra Sense: GAATGGAAATCTGCAGAGGCCTCCGC (SEQ ID NO: 7) Antisense: GTACTACTCGTCCTCCTGG (SEQ ID NO: 8) MMP-1 Sense: ACCTGAAGAATGATGGGAGGCAAGT (SEQ ID NO: 9) Antisense: CATCAAAATGAGCATCTCCTCCAATACCT (SEQ ID NO: 10) TIMP-1 Sense: AACCCACCATGGCCCCCTTTGAG (SEQ ID NO: 11) Antisense: GTTCCACTCCGGGCAGGATTCAGG (SEQ ID NO: 12)

Additionally, the intracellular IL-1alpha protein and mRNA from fibroblasts derived from involved skin of four SSc patients were compared with dermal fibroblasts of four age-matched normal donors and an additional control of similar (5^(th)-8^(th) passage). It was observed that unstimulated SSc fibroblasts contained significantly higher basal levels of IL-1 alpha protein than the controls. No IL-1 alpha was detected in the culture media. Although ELISAs do not distinguish between precursor and mature IL-1 alpha protein, it is contemplated that the intracellular IL-1 alpha was the precursor form.

Further, the mRNA for preIL-1 alpha in the unstimulated normal and SSc fibroblasts were also compared. Total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed and amplified by PCR using primers for IL-1 alpha and alpha-actin cDNA. As shown in FIG. 10, the results were in agreement with the ELISA result since fibroblasts from the four SSc patients produced higher levels of IL-1 alpha mRNA than those from three controls. Additionally, the fibroblasts from one control had basal IL-1 alpha mRNA compared to the SSc fibroblasts.

Since the relationship between IL-1 alpha and IL-1ra was not studied in fibroblasts, the levels of cell associated IL-1 alpha and IL-1ra in SSc and control fibroblasts before and after stimulation with IL-1 alpha or TNF alpha were measured. As shown in FIG. 11, there were substantially greater levels of cell-associated IL-1 alpha and IL-1ra in the SSc fibroblasts than in the controls after cytokine stimulation.

Next, the mRNA for preIL-1 alpha in IL-1beta-stimulated normal and SSc fibroblasts were measured by reverse transcription of total cellular RNA, followed by PCR amplification in presence of varying amounts of a synthetic competitor (internal standard) cDNA, which hybridizes to the same primers as the target (IL-1 alpha) sequence. Consistent with the results discussed above, it was observed that all four SSc patients had markedly more (15-fold) mRNA precursor for IL-1 alpha than four of the five stimulated controls. The control fibroblasts with elevated basal IL-1 alpha mRNA had as much induced IL-1 alpha mRNA as the SSc fibroblasts. A representative comparison between cells from one SSc patient and the matched normal is shown in FIG. 12.

The same technique was used to detect mRNA for IL-1ra in the same total preparation. Further, to distinguish between sIL-1ra and icIL-1Ra mRNA, specific 5′ primers complementary to their different (alternatively spliced) 5′ regions and a common 3′ primer complementary to the shared sequence were used. Only the mRNA for icIL-1ra was detected in IL-1beta stimulated fibroblasts from three SSc patients and three normal controls. In one SSc and one normal sample, both icIL-1ra and sIL-1ra mRNA were detected but the sIL-1ra mRNA was barely detectable (not shown). Therefore, it was inferred that most of the cell associated IL-1ra was in the intracellular form. Additionally competitive PCR of CDNA using probes and internal standard for icIl-1ra was performed. Greater icIl-1ra mRNA was observed in stimulated SSc fibroblasts (15-fold) than normal fibroblasts consistent with the ELISA results. A representative comparison of cells from one SSC patient and the matched control is shown in FIG. 12. Further, ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) was used to compare mRNA levels and to study the time course of precursor IL-1 alpha and icIL-1ra production (FIG. 13). Replicate cultures of normal and SSc fibroblasts were treated with IL-1beta and harvested by trypsin treatment at various times after stimulation. Poly (A)+ RNA was hybridized to ³²P-labeled riboprobes for IL-1I and G3PDH and to a riboprobe which is complementary to 216 bases of sIL-1ra and 160 bases of IcIl-1ra mRNA (probe IRAs/ic). Under the conditions of probe excess used for these assays, this probe protected both IL-1MRNAs, without loss of sensitivity when both mRNAs were mixed in various proportions. IL-1alpha and icIL-1ra mRNA were easily detected in SSc fibroblasts at 8, 12 and 16 hours in amounts greater than in the matched control line as indicated by the band volumes normalized to G3PDH. No IL-1alpha and icIL-1ra mRNA were detected at 0 hours, because this technique is less sensitive than PCR.

Example 3 Cloning and Transfection of Intracellular Isoform of IL-1 Receptor Antagonist

Based on the above findings and previous observation that scleroderma fibroblasts have elevated intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra), the relationship between the expression of the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist and MMP-1 was explored in cells transfected with plasmid encoding the intracellular IL-1 receptor antagonist. Cloning and transfection of intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist are described below.

Poly(A)⁺RNA obtained from THP-1 monocytic cells (ATCC, Manassas, Va., USA) stimulated with 1 mg/ml LPS and 100 ng/ml PMA was reverse transcribed using oligo (dT)₁₈ primers and random hexamers. The cDNA thus obtained was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 5′- and 3′-primers corresponding to the coding sequence of icIL-1ra Type 1 sequence as reported by Haskill et al. (1991). Desired restriction enzyme sites were incorporated into the terminals of each primer for cloning. The correct sequence of the cloned icIL-1ra Type 1 was verified by automated dye terminator cycle sequencing (ABI Prism Kit, Perkin Elmer, Foster City, Calif.) at the University of Tennessee Molecular Resource Center. The sequence of the cloned icIL-1ra corresponds to the isoform designated as icIL-1ra type 1. The cDNA for icIL-1ra type 1 was then cloned into an expression plasmid (PLXSN) carrying a neomycin resistance gene. The icIL-1ra type 1 cDNA was placed under the control of an SV40 promoter (PLXSN icIL-1ra). Unmodified plasmid carrying the neomycin resistance gene served as control (HF-VECTOR). Plasmids (PLXSN icIL-1ra type 1 and pLXSN-vector) were amplified in E. coli HB101/JM109 and purified using commercially available plasmid purification kit (Promega, Madison, Wis.).

Fibroblasts were transfected using LipofectAMINE™ 2000 Reagent obtained from Invitrogen Life Technologies following the manufacturer's protocol. Briefly, one day prior to transfection, 2×10⁵ cells were seeded per well (in 500 μl) in a 24-well plate. The cells were maintained in Complete DMEM without antibiotics. About 1.0 μg of plasmid DNA was taken up in 50 μl of OPTI-MEM™ with reduced serum (Life Technologies Inc. Gaithersburg, Md.). For each well of cells to be transfected, 2 μl of LipofectAMINE™ reagent was added to 50 μl of OPTI-MEM™ and incubated at ambient temperature for 5 min. Diluted plasmid DNA was then combined with the diluted LipofectAMINE™ Reagent and incubated at ambient temperature for 20 min to allow DNA-LipofectAMINE™ complexes to form. The plasmid DNA-LipofectAMINE™ complex was then added to each well and mixed gently by rocking the plates back and forth. The cells were incubated at 37° C. for 4-6 h. To each well an additional 500 ul of OPTI-MEM™ with reduced serum was added, and the incubation was continued for another 48-72 h. The medium was then replaced with DMEM containing penicillin, streptomycin and 600 μg/ml of geneticin (Life Technologies Inc.). Cells were incubated for 5-7 d with removal of dead cells and replenishment with complete fresh DMEM containing 600 μb/ml geneticin. Several days later and after 3-4 subcultures, only cells resistant to geneticin (600 μg/ml) were maintained. Such stably transfected cells were tested for the expression of icIL-1ra by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and by ELISA.

Abundant levels of icIL-1ra type 1 mRNA levels were constitutively expressed in PLXSN-icIL-1ra-transfected normal human fibroblast (HF-icIL-1ra). The control fibroblasts transfected with PLXSN plasmid alone (HF-VECTOR) did not constitutively express detectable levels of the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist type 1 mRNA (FIG. 14). Upon stimulation with recombinant human (hr) IL-1β or hrTNF-α, the control cells expressed low levels of the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist type 1 mRNA (FIG. 14A). In contrast, fibroblasts transfected with PLXSN-icIL-1ra expressed significantly higher levels of intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist type I protein compared to vector controls as measured by ELISA (FIG. 14B, p=0.005).

Further, to investigate a possible relationship between dysregulation of intracellular IL-1 alpha and icIL-1ra, and the disturbance of normal balance between MMP-1 and TIMP-1, normal fibroblasts (early passage infant foreskin fibroblasts) were transduced to constitutively produce precursor IL-1 alpha or icIL-1ra. As discussed above, the fibroblasts were transduced using the retroviral vector pLXSN containing the appropriate cDNA. Thus, the human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) so treated were designated as HDF-icIL-1ra (expressing icIL-1ra), HDF-preIL-1 alpha (expressing preIL-1 alpha), HDF-IL-1 alpha pro (expressing the propeptide region of the precursor IL-1 alpha) and HDF-vec (containing unmodified vector). Transduced and vector-controlled cells compared in each experiment were always derived from the same donor and passaged identically. Transduced cells and The HDF-vec controls exhibited normal morphology and growth characteristics.

Unstimulated transduced HDF were shown by RPA to constitutively produce abundant amounts of the appropriate retrovirally encoded mRNA transcripts. Synthesis of protein products was demonstrated by ELISA (Table 2). Increased constitutive production of icIL-1ra was observed in HDF-preIL-1 alpha. In distinct contrast, no increase in constitutive production of pre-IL1 alpha was observed in HDF-icIL-1ra.

TABLE 2 Basal cytokine levels in transduced fibroblasts. IL-1 alpha in IL-1ra in Fibroblasts Cells Media Cells Media HDF-vec * * 158 ± 26 # HDF-I pro * * 51 ± 5 # HDF-preIL-1 12.7 ± 0.3 * 695 ± 49 11.0 ± 0.5 alpha HDF-icIL-1ra * * 1495 ± 35  15.5 ± 0.7 Intracellular concentrations are expressed as pg/2 × 10⁵ cells; media concentrations as pg/ml. * below detection limit of 4 pg/ml. # below detection limit of 7.5 pg/ml.

Further, the synthesis of appropriate size protein product was demonstrated by biosynthetic labeling and immunoprecipitation as discussed in Higgins, et al., 1994 and using specific antibodies as shown in FIG. 15. The transduced cells, like SSc fibroblasts released no detectable IL-1alpha into the culture media. It is therefore likely, that these cells do not process or secrete preIL-1alpha. However, HDF-icIL-1ra cells did release IL-1ra into the culture media. Stimulated cells usually released less than 100 pg/ml after 24 hours, but a maximum of 700 pg/ml was observed in one experiment.

Next, to test whether the normal fibroblasts transduced to constitutively make precursor IL-1alpha or TNF alpha show a response pattern similar to SSc fibroblasts, these transduced fibroblasts were stimulated with IL-1 beta or TNF alpha and the cell-associated IL-1ra was measured. Like the SSc fibroblasts, the HDF-preIL-1 alpha synthesized significantly more cell associated IL-1ra than the controls HDF-vec or HDF-IL-1 alpha pro in response to either of the cytokines. The peak IL-1ra production was at 24 hours (FIG. 16) and significant differences persisted for at least 48 hours. In dose response experiments, IL-1ra production was maximal after stimulation with 125 pg/ml IL-1beta and did not change with additional IL-1 beta.

Further, to determine whether this cell-associated IL-1ra was the icIL-1ra or sIL-1ra, poly(A)+ RNA was isolated from HDF-vec and HDF-preIL-1 alpha stimulated with IL-1beta and probed for icIL-1ra and sIL-1ra by RPA. As shown in FIG. 16, icIL-1ra mRNA peaked at 8 hours in both HDF-vec and HDF-preIL-1ra. A more pronounced response was observed in HDF-preIL-1 alpha. mRNA for sIL-1ra was barely detectable. Therefore, most of the cell-associated IL-1ra in the HDF was likely to be the intracellular isoform. The stability of icIL-1ra mRNA in IL-1I stimulated, actinomycin D-treated HDF-vec, HDF-alpha pro, and HDF-preIL-1 alpha was similar (half life=3 hrs). Thus, the upregulation of icIL-1ra mRNA by preIL-1 alpha occurred at the level of transcription.

Since IL-1 alpha was not detected in the culture media of HDF-preIL-1 alpha, it seemed unlikely that extracellular IL-1 alpha was responsible for the upregulation of icIl-1ra in these cells. However, to test this possibility HDF-vec and HDF-preIL1 alpha were grown and stimulated with IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta in the continuous presence of neutralizing anti-IL-1 antibody (20 ng/ml) and then assayed for cell-associated icIL-1ra (table 3). It was observed that neutralizing anti-IL-1 alpha antibodies had little effect on icIL-1ra production by HDF-preIL-1 alpha.

TABLE 3 Effect of anti-IL-1 on icIL-ra. IL-1ra (pg/2 × 10⁶ cells) Fibroblasts and treatment (−) IL-1 alpha (+) IL-1 alpha HDF-Vec No antibody  8 ± 3 636 ± 20 HDF-preIL-1 alpha No antibody 737 ± 41 2469 ± 233 Anti-IL-1 alpha 608 ± 8  2283 ± 390 Anti-IL-1ra 600 ± 45 2339 ± 41  Anti-IL-1 alpha + Anti-IL-1ra 679 ± 29 2757 ± 70 

Further, whether the constitutive expression of precursor of IL-1 alpha or icIL-1ra would alter the production of other cytokines produced in response to IL-1 beta or TNF alpha was investigated by ELISA. Control and transduced fibroblasts were treated with IL-1 beta and culture media was tested for production of GMCSF, IL-6 and MCP-1. As shown in Table 4, HDF-preIL-1 alpha produced greater basal MCP-1 and IL-6, but after cytokine stimulation the amounts were not different. Similar results were obtained after TNF alpha stimulation. Next, whether IL-6 was involved in upregulation of icIL-1ra was investigated by treating HDF-preIL-1 alpha with neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibodies before and during stimulation with IL-1 beta. No effect of anti-IL6 was observed.

TABLE 4 Cytokine production by transduced cells. Cytokines in culture media (pg/ml) Cells Treatment GMCSF IL-6 MCP-1 HDF-vec (−) 4 248 2300 IL-1beta 1520 1580 17,000 TNF alpha 1128 1590 15,200 HDF-preIL-1I (−) 24 2,800 9,700 IL-1beta 1960 8710 15,200 TNF alpha 720 8,650 8,700 HDF-icIL-1ra (−) 2 180 2,150 IL-1beta 2,240 1580 16,200 TNF alpha 680 1595 16,240

Additionally, TGF alpha production was also measured by ELISA and no difference was observed between HDF-vec and HDF-preIL-1I either before or after IL-1I stimulation. Hence, based in the measurement of the various cytokines it was concluded that transduction of fibroblasts to constitutively produce precursor IL-1I does not result in global alteration of responses to IL-1I or TN F alpha stimulation. Rather specific differences are observed depending on the expressed protein.

Next, the MMP-1 production in the fibroblasts expressing increased intracellular pre-IL-1I and icIL-1ra was examined by incubating the cells in IL-1 and TNF alpha. HDF-preIL-1 alpha cells exhibited lower induction of MMP-1 by IL-1beta than HDF-vec (FIG. 17) and thus resembled the SSc fibroblasts in this regard. However, unlike SSc fibroblasts, the basal and cytokine-stimulated levels of TIMP-1 were elevated in HDF-preIL-1 alpha as compared to HDF-vec. Since HDF-preIL-1 alpha cells make increased icIL-1ra after IL-1beta/TNF alpha stimulation, whether cells constitutively producing icIL-1ra but not IL-1 alpha would behave the same way was examined. It was observed that after stimulation with IL-1beta or TNF alpha, HDF-icIL-1ra responded similarly to HDF-preIL-1 alpha; i.e MMP-1 induction was impaired but TIMP-1 was still induced (FIG. 18).

The ability of IL-1ra peptides to compete with [¹²⁵I] IL-1beta for binding to type I IL-1Rs on EL46.1 cells and their ability to block IL-1beta induction of ICAM-1 expression on fibroblasts and on IL-1 stimulation of collagenase and PGE₂ synthesis in infant foreskin fibroblasts was examined. Peptides that represented processed/mature form of human sIL-1ra were synthesized (Table 5).

TABLE 5 IL-1ra peptides synthesized. IL-1ra SEQ Peptide Sequence ID NO:  1-35 RPSGRKSSKMQAFRIWDVNQKTFYLRNNQLVAGYL 13 36-59 QGPNVNLEEKIDVVPIEPHALFLG 14 60-90 IHGGKMCLSCVKSGDETRLQLEAVNITDLSE 15  91-123 NRKQDKRFAFIRSDSGPTTSFESAACPGWFLCT 16 124-152 AMEADQPVSLTNMPDEGVMVTKFYFQEDE 17

None of the peptides were able to displace [¹²⁵I] IL-1beta from type I IL-1Rs on the EL46.1 cells (FIG. 19). Additionally a competitive binding assay was performed in which the IL-1ra peptides were added to the EL4 cells at the same time [¹²⁵I] was added. No displacement of [¹²⁵I] IL-1 beta was observed from its receptors in the presence of these IL-1ra peptides. In contrast, greater than 90% displacement of [¹²⁵I] from EL4 cells was observed in the presence of a 100× excess of shrIL-1ra. These results indicated that if any of these peptides bind to type IL-1Rs, they do so with affinities too low to be detected by competitive binding analysis.

Since sIL-1ra blocks IL-1 stimulation of T cells, the abilities of the IL-1ra peptides of Table 5 to inhibit mitogenesis of murine D10.G4.1 cells in response to IL-1α were assessed by performing lymphocyte mitogenesis assay. Briefly, different concentrations of IL-1ra peptides were added to culture 1 hour prior to addition of IL-1α (10 ng/ml). The results are expressed as mean cpm of quadruplicate determinations corrected for background. The standard error of the mean for each sample tested was 10% or less. None of the peptides disclosed in Table 5 inhibited IL-1α stimulation of proliferation of D10.G4.1 T cells (FIG. 20). Further, the uptake of ¹²⁵I IL-1ra peptide with SEQ ID NO: 13 by dermal fibroblasts was investigated. Briefly, the SEQ ID NO: 13 peptide (25 μg in 125 μl 0.125 sodium borate buffer pH 8.5) was labeled with ¹²⁵I-Bolton Hunter Reagent (New England Nuclear, Boston, Mass.) according to manufacturer's instructions. The labeled IL-1ra was separated from the free ¹²⁵I by passage over a Bio-Gel P-2 (BioRad, Richmond, Calif.) 1 ml column equilibrated and eluted with phosphate buffered saline containing 0.1% gelatin. The labeled SEQ ID NO: 13 peptide eluted in 150 μl from the P-2 column gave a specific activity of 10,000 μCi/ng of peptide.

The uptake of the labeled SEQ ID NO: 13 peptide by fibroblasts was assessed by incubating fibroblasts monolayers in a 100 mM diameter tissue culture dish in 2 ml Maintenance Medium containing 40 μg ¹²⁵I IL-1ra peptide with SEQ ID NO: 13 for 3 hours at 37° C. in a 5% humidified incubator with slow rocking on a platform rocker. The plate was then washed six times with cold PBS and then 2 ml homogenizing buffer (50 mM Tris-Hcl, pH 7.5 with 12 mM K Cl and 5 mM Mg Cl₂) (containing protease inhibitor cocktail pepstatin 10 μg/ml, leupeptin 5 μg/mL, apropinin 33 μg/ml, PMSF 1 μM, NEM 10 mM and EDTA 1 mM) were added. Cell layer was scraped gently with a rubber policeman, and the plate was washed in 2 ml of homogenizing buffer and added to a 50 ml conical tube, centrifuged at 500×g for 10 minutes at 4° C. and resuspended in 500 μl of homogenizing buffer. Cells were fragmented using a Dounce homogenizer at 4° C. and sonicated for 2 minutes (15 seconds on and 15 seconds off) on ice.

Sucrose cushions in 50 ml ultracentrifuge tubes were prepared with 41% sucrose (5 ml) on the bottom and 33% sucrose (5 ml) on the top and a layer of homogenate (1 ml) on top. The tube was then centrifuged at 125,000×g for 90 minutes at 4° C. The soluble cytoplasmic fraction was recovered on top above sucrose. Vesicles and cell membranes were recovered in the sucrose fractions after resuspending the sucrose fractions in homogenizing buffer. The nuclear pellet was resupsended in homogenizing buffer. Resuspended fractions were spun, repelleted and the sucrose membranes and nuclear pellet were resuspended in 1 ml homogenizing buffer. Then, 50 μl aliquots were counted in a gamma counter. Incubation of the labeled SEQ ID NO: 13 peptide with the fibroblast monolayer resulted in uptake of 1.5% of the peptide by fibroblasts. Of the total CPM (15,032) recovered from the cellular fraction 34.8% was localized in the cytosol, 31.9% in vesicles, 21.2% in the plasma membrane and 12% in the nucleus.

Furthermore, the effect of the IL-1ra peptides on the stimulation of MMP-1 and TIMP expression was examined. Briefly, fibroblasts were seeded in wells of Flacon 3008 multiwell plates (5×10⁴ cells/500 μl Maintenance Medium). After 72 h culture, the medium was removed from each well and replaced with Maintenance Medium (450 μl) containing 5% FCS and 25 μl of IL-1ra peptides or hrsIL-1ra peptide being tested. Two hrs later 25 μl IL-1β (100 pg/ml) was added to appropriate wells. Plates were incubated for 48 h, at which time medium was collected from each well. Levels of TIMP and collagenase produced by fibroblasts during culture were measured by specific ELISA techniques as previously described (Postlethwaite et al., 1988).

The amino terminal IL-1ra peptide with SEQ ID NO: 13 consistently inhibited the IL-1 induced collagenase synthesis by dermal fibroblasts at concentrations as low as 10⁻¹⁰M (FIG. 21). The IL-1β-induced collagenase production was suppressed to a level of 450 ng/ml by 100 ng/ml of IL-1ra peptide. The fibroblast growth that was assessed by counting the trypsinized cells from each well in the hemocytometer was unchanged. Since IL-1β upregulates fibroblast TIMP-1 expression, the ability of each of the peptides disclosed in Table 5 to inhibit IL-1β-induced TIMP-1 expression by cultured human fibroblast was assessed. It was observed that more of the sIL-1ra peptides were able to inhibit TIMP-1 production stimulated by hrIL-1β by fibroblasts (FIG. 22).

Additionally, since IL-1β stimulates PGE2 synthesis by fibroblasts, the effect of peptides disclosed in Table 5 on the PGE2 production by fibroblasts was examined. Briefly, Maintenance Medium in multi-well plates comprising the fibroblasts that were grown to confluency for 3 days was changed to Maintenance Medium containing 2.5% FCS (450 μl/well). This was followed by addition of IL-1ra peptides or hrsIL-1ra (25 μl aliquots) to culture wells 2 hrs prior to addition of hrIL-1β (100 pg/ml). After an additional 24 h incubation, PGE₂ was measured in these culture supernatants. PGE₂ was extracted from fibroblast culture supernatants and measured by a previously described radioimmunoassay technique (Ballou et al., 1990; Postlethwaite et al., 1989). It was observed that IL-1ra peptide with SEQ ID NO: 15 inhibited IL-1-induced fibroblast synthesis of PGE2 (FIG. 23). Recombinant IL-1ra (100 ng/ml) inhibited IL-1-induced PGE2 production to a level of 150 pg/ml.

Further, since IL-1 upregulates ICAM-1 expression on a variety of cells including fibroblasts, the ability of the peptides disclosed in Table 5 to inhibit IL-1β induced ICAM-1 expression on human dermal fibroblasts was examined. Briefly, fibroblasts were seeded in wells of flat bottom 96 well tissue culture plates (NUNC, Roskilde, Denmark) (1×10⁴ cells 200 ml Maintenance Medium). After 72 h, the culture medium was removed from each well and replaced with 450 μl Maintenance Medium and 25 μl of IL-1ra peptides or hrsIL-1ra (100 ng/ml). After incubation at 37° C. for 2 h in 5% CO₂ humidified atmosphere, 25 μl hrIL-1β (100 pg/mL final concentration) was added to wells containing IL-1ra peptides or hrsIL-1ra. Wells with 50 μl PBS served as a negative control. PBS 25 μl+25 ml IL-1β (100 pg/ml final concentration) was a positive control. Plates were incubated an additional 24 h, after which medium was removed from each well and the cells were fixed with 100 μl of 3.8% formaldehyde in PBS for 5-7 minutes at room temperature. The cells were rinsed twice with culture medium, and 100 μl of monoclonal mouse anti-ICAM-1 antibody (AMAC, Inc., Westbrook, Me.; diluted 0.2 mg original stock diluted 1:800 in culture medium) was applied to designated wells. The plate was then incubated at 4° C. overnight.

After washing the plate thrice with 300 μl of 0.1% BSA-PBS, 200 μl of secondary antibody, goat anti-mouse IgG antibody-conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) diluted 1:4000 in 1% BSA-PBS, was added to each well and the plate was incubated at room temperature for 2 h. After a final wash with 0.1% BSA-PBS, 100 μl of peroxidase substrate solution (Pierce) containing 2,2′-azino-di[3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate] (Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories, Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.) was added to each well. This was followed 30-40 minutes later by reading of the optical density (OD) at 405 nm by a Microplate Autoreader (Bio-Tek Instruments, Inc., Winooski, Vt.). The color solution was discarded and the plate was then washed twice with PBS. Finally, the cells were digested with 30 μl of 0.6 M NaOH overnight, and the amount of protein in each well was determined using BCA assay reagents (Pierce). ICAM-1 expression was presented as OD/mg protein. It was observed that IL-1ra peptide (SEQ ID NO: 15) inhibited the ICAM-1 expression on cultured fibroblasts in a dose dependent manner (FIG. 24). The hrsIL-1ra (100 ng/mL) inhibited IL-1β-induced ICAM-1 expression to 6 O.D. units/mg of cellular protein. The effect of sIL-1ra peptides on IL-1 stimulated cells is summarized in table 6.

TABLE 6 Summary of the effects of IL-1ra peptides on IL-1 stimulated cells Collag- Tcell Binds to ILra Peptide ICAM-1 enase PGE² TIMP growth IL-1R 1-35 (SEQ ID − + − − − − NO: 13) 36-59 (SEQ ID − − − − − − NO: 14) 60-90 (SEQ ID + − + − − − NO: 15) 91-123 (SEQ ID − − − − − − NO: 16) 124-152 (SEQ ID − − − − − − NO: 17)

The observation that the peptide with SEQ ID NO: 13 was taken up into subcellular compartments of fibroblasts and this peptide did not compete with IL-1β for binding to IL-1 receptors suggested an intracellular mode of action. To potentially enhance translocation of the peptide, a nuclear localization sequence (NLS), namely, KKKMEKR from human IL-1β was added to the peptide with SEQ ID NO: 13 and the effect of the peptide with and without the NLS on collagenase production was assessed. In this case the cultures were stimulated with TNF-α or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Table 7 shows pronounced effect of NLS-IL-1ra peptide on the TNF alpha and b-FGF-stimulated fibroblast collagenase production.

TABLE 7 Effect of NLS-IL-1RA6 peptide on TNF1 and b-FGF-stimulated fibroblast collagenase production. Treatment Collagenase (ng/mL) TNF alpha (5 ng/ml) + PBS 9391 TNF alpha (5 ng/ml) + NLS-IL-1ra (1 μg/ml) 849 TNF alpha (5 ng/ml) + NLS-IL-1ra (100 ng/ml) 1254 TNF alpha (5 ng/ml) + NLS-IL-1ra (10 ng/ml) 1199 TNF alpha (5 ng/ml) + NLS-IL-1ra (1 ng/ml) 238 TNF alpha (5 ng/ml) + NLS-IL-1ra (100 pg/ml) 243 bFGF (5 ng/mL) + PBS 5058 bFGF (5 ng/ml) + NLS-IL-1ra (1 μg/ml) 5649 bFGF (5 ng/ml) + NLS-IL-1ra (100 ng/ml) 3199 bFGF (5 ng/ml) + NLS-IL-1ra (10 ng/ml) 3167 bFGF (5 ng/ml) + NLS-IL-1ra (1 ng/ml) 2541 bFGF (5 ng/ml) + NLS-IL-1ra (100 pg/ml) 2367 PBS 645 IL-1ra = RPSGRKSSKMQAFRIWDVNQKTFYLRNNQLVAGYL (SEQ ID NO: 13) NLS-IL-Ira = KKKMEKRRPSGRKSSKMQAFRIWDVNQKTFYLRNNQLVAGYL (SEQ ID NO: 18). SIL-1RA = recombinant IL-1ra, NLS-SIL-1RA = recombinant IL-1ra plus a nuclear localization sequence.

Next, due to the above-discussed observation smaller fragments as shown in table 8 at various dilutions were used to analyze the effect on IL-1-stimulated fibroblast collagenase production.

TABLE 8 IL-1ra (IL-1RA) synthetic peptides SEQ ID IL-1ra peptide Sequence NO: IL-1ra 1-35 RPSGRKSSKMQAFRIWDVNQKTFYLRNNQLVA 13 GYL IL-1ra 1-15 RPSGRKSSKMQAFRI 19 IL-1ra 10-26 MQAFRIWDVNQKTFYLR 20 IL-1ra 23-37 FYLRNNQLVAGYLQG 21 IL-1ra 23-29 FYLRNNQ 22 IL-1ra 27-34 NNQLVAGY 23 IL-1-ra 30-37 LVAGYLQG 24

As shown in table 9, some regions of the peptide showed more potent effects on inhibition of IL-1β-induced collagenase synthesis than other peptides that showed no or opposite effects. However, all peptides active in inhibiting MMP-1 by IL-1β, TNFα or bFGF contained residues 30-34 (LVAGY; SEQ ID NO: 42) and this sequence was conserved in all of the 4 isoforms of human IL-1ra.

TABLE 9 Effects of subpeptides of IL-1ra on stimulated fibroblast fibroblast collagenase production*. Collagenase Treatment (ng/mL) IL1β (100 pm/mL) + PBS 1351 PBS + PBS 556 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 19 (10 μg/mL) 1267 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 19 (1 μg/mL) 1152 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 19 (100 ng/mL) 1746 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 20 (10 μg/mL) 2036 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 20 (1 μg/mL) 2139 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 20 (100 ng/mL) 2644 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 21 (10 μg/mL) 2581 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 21 (1 μg/mL) 2361 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 21 (100 ng/mL) 2142 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 22 (10 μg/mL) 1881 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 22 (1 μg/mL) 1827 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 22 (100 ng/mL) 1514 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 23 (10 μg/mL) 1078 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 23 (1 μg/mL) 619 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 23 (100 ng/mL) 541 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 24 (10 μg/mL) 749 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 24 (1 μg/mL) 841 IL1β (100 pm/mL) + SEQ ID NO: 24 (100 ng/mL) 857 *These peptides were added to cultures if confluent fibroblasts 2 hours prior to addition fo IL-1β. After 48 hrs, culture supernatants were harvested and MMP-1 proteins determined by ELISA.

Thus, it was found that SSc dermal fibroblasts expressed higher basal levels of preIL-1 alpha and higher stimulated levels of preIL-1 alpha and icIL-1ra, than the normal dermal fibroblasts. The SSc fibroblasts had blunted MMP-1 production in response to IL-1 beta and TNF alpha When normal dermal fibroblasts were transduced to constitutively express intracellular preIL-1 alpha, they behaved like SSc fibroblasts and produced higher stimulated levels of icIL-1ra than control fibroblasts. Similarly, normal fibroblasts were also transduced to constitutively express icIL-1ra. These cells also behaved line SSc fibroblasts with impaired production of MMP-1 after cytokine stimulation. Thus, these cells could be used as models for studying disease-related alteration son cytokine response. Hence, excess levels of preIL-1 alpha causes overproduction of icIL-1ra in response to inflammatory mediators, which in turn contribute to impairs matrix degradation by blunting MMP-1 induction.

Example 4 Expression of Collagenase (MMP-1) in Human Fibroblasts Transfected with Intracellular Isoform of IL-1 Receptor Antagonist

In order to understand the relationship between intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra type 1) and MMP-1 expression, human fibroblasts transfected with icIL-1ra type 1 or vector alone were stimulated with hrIL-1β (100 pg/ml or 1.0 ng/ml) or hrTNF-α (5 ng/ml or 15 ng/ml). The MMP-1 mRNA levels were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR.

Two-step real time RT-PCR analysis was performed by a fluorogenic 5′ nuclease assay using TaqMan PCR reagents obtained from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). The following primers were used to amplify MMP-1: Forward Primer, 5′ GGCTTGAAGCTGCTTACGAATTT 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 25); Reverse Primer, 5′ GAAGCCAAAGGAGCTGTAGATGTC 3′(SEQ ID NO: 26). The dye-tagged MMP-1 specific probe (6FAM-TCCCTTTGAAAAACC GGACTTCATCTCTG-TAMRA) (SEQ ID NO: 27) was prepared by Applied Biosystem. The reactions were performed according to manufacture's protocol. Each sample was assayed in duplicate. The housekeeping gene GAPDH was used as a control to normalize the amount of RNA present in various test samples. The following primers obtained from Applied Biosystem were used to estimate GAPDH level in the samples: Forward primer 5′ GAAGGTGAAGGTCGGAGT 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 28), Reverse primer 5′ GAAATCCCATCA CCATCTTC 3′(SEQ ID NO: 29), JOE-Labeled probe 5′ CCGACTCTTGCCCTTCGAAC 3′(SEQ ID NO: 30). The relative value of MMP-1 in each sample was expressed as a ratio of the CT values of MMP-1 to that of corresponding GAPDH.

Results presented in FIG. 25A (semi-quantitative RT-PCR) and FIG. 25B (real time RT-PCR) show a significant decrease in MMP-1 mRNA levels in intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist type 1 transfected fibroblasts compared to the controls (HF-VECTOR). The p values were 0.014, 0.002 and 0.031 for differences between HF-VECTOR and HF-icIL-1ra (unstimulated); HE-VECTOR and HF-icIL-1ra (IL-1-β treated) and HF-VECTOR and HF-icIL-1ra (TNF-treated), respectively.

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 mRNA levels were also measured by ribonuclease protection assay as follows. Fibroblasts maintained as described above were harvested 12-16 hours following exposure to hrIL-1β or hrTNF-α. Total cellular RNA was isolated as described above. Human matrix metalloproteinase multi-probe set (Cat # 551274) from BD Biosciences (Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.) was used to quantitate the mRNAs. Synthetic anti-sense RNA was prepared using the BD RiboQuant™ in vitro transcription kit. Labeled probes for housekeeping genes (GAPDH and L32) were transcribed from respective linearized plasmids using T7 RNA polymerase in presence of α³²p-UTp (BD RiboQuant™ Ribonuclease Protection Assay (RPA) Systems, BD Biosciences/Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.). After overnight hybridization and digestion using RNase provided by the RiboQuant™ RPA kit, protected probes were resolved by PAGE on urea-acrylamide gels. The bands were visualized, and the intensities of the bands were quantified using a Bio-Rad Model GS-505 phosphor imager (Bio-Rad, Herculis, Calif.). The results are expressed after normalizing the intensities of MMP-1 bands from various samples to that of the housekeeping genes in respective samples.

Results from ribonuclease protection assay depicted in FIG. 25C show reduced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 mRNA in cells transfected with the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist type 1 (HF-icIL-1ra) compared to controls (HF-VECTOR). MMP-1 expression was also examined in cultures of HF-icIL-1ra and HF-VECTOR after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 10 ng/ml). The results from two separate experiments presented in FIG. 26 show up to 50% reduction in MMP-1 mRNA levels in HF-icIL-1ra after PMA stimulation compared to HF-VECTOR.

In addition to matrix metalloproteinase-1 mRNA levels, matrix metalloproteinase-1 protein was also measured. Supernatants from HF-VECTOR and HF-icIL-1ra cells were collected after stimulation with hrIL-1β (100 pg/ml or 1 ng/ml), or hrTNF-α (5 ng/ml) for 48 h. MMP-1 protein levels in culture supernatants were determined by ELISA. Results from two separate experiments presented in FIG. 27 show significantly reduced levels of collagenase in HF-icIL-1ra compared to HF-VECTOR. These results show that human fibroblasts over-expressing the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist type 1 are refractory to matrix metalloproteinase-1 upregulation when exposed to potent stimulators such as IL-1β, TNF-α, or PMA.

Example 5 Effect of Antisense Intracellular Isoform of IL-1 Receptor Antagonist on MMP-1 Expression

To further study the direct relationship between intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra type 1) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression, an antisense oligonucleotide against the sense mRNA of the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist type 1 was designed to specifically inhibit the translation of the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist type 1 into corresponding protein. Cells transfected with intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist type 1 (HF-icIL-1ra) were treated with varying concentrations of antisense oligonucleotide directed against the intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist type 1 mRNA. Oligonucleotide with a scrambled sequence was used as control. Both oligonucleotides were mixed with LipofectAMINE™ reagent to enhance cellular uptake.

Results presented in FIG. 28 show that HF-icIL-1ra treated with 300 mM antisense intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist type 1 oligonucleotide expressed significantly higher levels of MMP-1 mRNA (p=0.001) compared to the controls (i.e. HF-icIL-1ra treated with PBS, with empty liposome, and oligonucleotide with scrambled sequence). These results show a direct relationship between increased intracellular isoform of IL-1 receptor antagonist type 1 and reduced MMP-1 expression in fibroblasts stimulated by agents such as IL-1β, TNF-α and PMA that normally upregulate MMP-1.

Example 6 Expression of icIL-1ra in Transfected Fibroblasts and Phenotypic Features of Dermal Fibroblasts Overexpressing icIL-1ra

Since it was observed that Ssc fibroblasts over-expressed icIL-ra type I when stimulated with cytokines, the effects of icIL-1ra type 1 in normal fibroblasts with regard to their phenotype and expression of MMP-1, α-SMA, as well as the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) that has been reported to be elevated in myofibroblasts was assessed. The icIL-1ra type 1 cDNA insert was prepared as described earlier (Example 3). Dermal fibroblasts were obtained from infant foreskins by conventional explant culture techniques and grown in Dulbecco's modified minimal essential medium (DMEM) containing HEPES buffer, non-essential amino acids (NEAA), sodium pyruvate, 100 mM L-glutamine, 100 units/ml penicillin, 100 μg/m streptomycin and 9% fetal bovine serum (FBS) hereafter referred to as “complete DMEM”. Low passage (5^(th) to 10^(th)) fibroblasts were used for transfection. The transfection was carried out using LipofectAMINE 2000 Reagent as described earlier (Example 3).

Levels of icIL-1ra Type 1 mRNA and ic-IL-1ra protein were assessed in HF-icIL-1ra and HF-Vector fibroblasts. Real-time RT-PCR was used to estimate the mRNA levels. Briefly, total cellular RNA was isolated from cells using Tri-Reagent (Sigma) followed by chloroform extraction and isopropanol precipitation. Total RNA was used for oligo dT mediated reverse transcription of messenger RNA species in each sample. Specific messages were amplified and detected by real-time PCR performed using the SYBR Green method (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) using specific sets of forward and reverse primers (Table 10) in addition to the primers that are presented in Table 1.

TABLE 10 Primer sequences used to amplify specific cDNAs* α-SMA Sense: GTC CCC ATC TAT GAG GGC TAT (SEQ ID NO: 31) Antisense: GCA TTT GCG GTG GAC AAT GGA (SEQ ID NO: 32) PAI Sense: AAG GAC CGC AAC GTG GTT TTC TCA (SEQ ID NO: 33) Antisense: TGA AGA AGT GGG GCA TGA AGC C (SEQ ID NO: 34) c-fos Sense: AGC TGC ACT ACC TAT ACG TCT T (SEQ ID NO: 35) Antisense: TCA AGT CCT TGA GGT CCA CAG (SEQ ID NO: 36) c-jun Sense: GTC ATG AAC CAC GTT AAC GTG (SEQ ID NO: 37) Antisense: TCC ATG CAG TTC TTG TCA ATG (SEQ ID NO: 38) Jun B Sense: AGC TCA AGC AGA AGG TCA TGA (SEQ ID NO: 39) Antisense: ATG TAA ACC TCG AGG TGG AAG (SEQ ID NO: 40).

The reactions were performed according to the manufacturer's protocol. Each sample was assayed in duplicate. The PCR product was detected by measuring the increase in fluorescence caused by binding of the SYBR Green dye to double-stranded DNA. The specificity of the product was confirmed by the generation of a specific melting/dissociation cure for each product. The housekeeping gene GAPDH was used as a control to normalize for the amount of RNA present in various test samples. The relative value of specific sample was expressed as a reciprocal ratio of the C_(t) values of each message to that of corresponding GAPDH.

The total intracellular IL-1ra type 1 protein was measured by ELISA (R&D systems, Minneapolis, Minn.). The transfected cells were harvested, washed once in serum-free DMEM, counted manually in a hemocytometer and lysed by incubation for 30 min at 4° C. with 50 mM Tris, 0.1% [(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-proanesulfonate (Sigma Aldrich Chemicals, St. Louis, Mo.), 0.1% Nonidet P-40 pH 7.5, containing protease inhibitors (25 mM benzamidine, 1 mM PMSF, 10 mM N-ethylmaleimide, 1 mMEDTA, 1.0 μg/ml leupeptin, 1.0 μg/ml aprotinin, and 1.0 μg/ml pepstatin). The cell lysates were cleared by centrifugation at 18,000×g for 30 min at 4° C. Cleared lysates were stored at −80° until tested after adding 0.1 volumes of NaCl (to a final concentration of 0.9%) to each sample. The concentration of total icIL-1ra was expressed as ng/1×10⁶ vector transfected (HF-vector) or icIL-1ra-transfected (HF-icIL-1ra) cells.

It was observed that abundant levels of icIL-1ra type 1 mRNA levels were constitutively expressed in PLXSN-icIL-1ra transfected fibroblast (HF-icIL-1ra). The control fibroblasts transfected with PLXSN plasmid alone (HF-VECTOR) did not constitutively express detectable levels of icIL-1ra type 1 mRNA (FIG. 29A). However, upon stimulation with hrIL-1β or hrTNF-α, the control cells did express low levels of icIL-1ra type 1 mRNA (FIG. 29A). Fibroblasts transfected with PLXSN-icIL-1ra expressed high levels of icIL-1ra protein compared to vector controls (FIG. 29B).

It has been reported that fibroblast that constitute fibrotic lesions of scleroderma are predominantly of the myofibroblast phenotype with characteristic morphology and increased α-SMA and PAI. Therefore, whether such features were characteristic of fibroblasts overexpressing icIL-1ra were also determined. Fibroblasts transfected with icIL-1ra or control plasmid were maintained in culture with complete DMEM for 6 week with medium change every 5^(th) day. The myofibroblast phenotype was assessed by light microscopy, immunoperoxidase staining for α-SMA and mRNA levels of α-SMA and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) was estimated by Sybrgreen real-time RT-PCR by using the primers listed in Table 10.

For immunoperoxidase staining, HF-Vector and HF-icIL-1ra fibroblasts were grown to subconfluency in 48-well flat bottom tissue culture plates. Medium was removed and cell layers were incubated with Cytofix/Cytoperm for 20 min and then with 0.3% hydrogen peroxidase (Sigma) for 5 min. Cell layers were then washed three times with Perm Wash. A 1:25 dilution of Sigma's mouse anti-human α-SMA clone 1A4 monoclonal antibody was added to the cell monolayers for 30 min and then washed three times with PermWash. Cell monolayers were then incubated with biotinylated rat anti-mouse IgG (Fab-specific) for 30 min and washed three times with Perm Wash. Streptavidin-Horseradish peroxidase was then added to the cell layers for 10 min and then washed 3 times with Perm Wash. Substrate AEC (BD Pharmingen) or DBA was added to the cell monolayers for 10 min, washed with distilled water, counterstained with 0.02% Coomassie Blue for 20 min and finally washed three times with distilled water.

It was observed that fibroblasts transfected with plasmid alone retained a spindle shaped morphology (FIG. 30A) with little staining for α-SMA (FIGS. 30C, 30E). In distinct contrast, fibroblasts over-expressing icIL-1ra assumed a myofibroblast-like appearance (FIG. 30B) and stained for α-SMA (FIGS. 30D, 30F). Real time PCR analysis of constitutive mRNA expression of the myofibroblast marker, α-SMA showed a significantly enhanced expression of icIL-1ra over-expressing fibroblasts compared to control fibroblasts transfected with plasmid alone (p=0.002) (FIG. 31).

Since differential regulation of PAI-1 gene expression in human fibroblasts predispose to a fibrotic phenotype (Huggins, P. J. et al., 1999), the possible association between icIL-1ra and expression of PAI mRNA was determined by examining fibroblasts over-expressing icIL-1ra by real-time RT-PCR. It was observed that fibroblasts over-expressing icIL-1ra type 1 (HF-icIL-1ra) had increased constitutive levels (p=0.02) of PAI mRNA compared to controls (HF-Vector) (FIG. 32).

Example 7 Expression of MMP-1 in icIL-1ra Type I Transfected Fibroblasts Exposed to IL-1β or TNF-α or PMA

To determine the impact of over-expression of icIL-1ra type 1 on MMP-1 expression, human fibroblasts transfected with icIL-1ra type 1 or vector alone were stimulated with hr-IL-1β, hrTNF-α and PMA. Briefly, transfected fibroblasts were continuously maintained in complete DMEM containing 600 μg/ml Geneticin. These fibroblasts were harvested from confluent monolayers by trypsin treatment. Equal numbers of fibroblasts/well were seeded in 12-well or 24-well plates and grown to confluence for 72 hrs. One day prior to treatment with hrIL-1β, hrTNF-α or PMA, the initial growth medium was replaced with complete DMEM containing 5% FBS. Separate plates were set up for mRNA and protein analysis. Duplicate wells were set up for each assay condition. Fibroblasts were then exposed to 1.0 ng/ml hrIL-1β, 5 or 10 ng/ml hrTNF or 10 ng/ml of PMA. The fibroblasts were harvested 12-16 h after treatment for mRNA analysis. One ml of tri-Reagent was added to each well to lyse the fibroblasts. The cell lysates thus obtained were stored at −80° C. until analyzed.

It was observed that fibroblasts over-expressing icIL-1ra (HF-icIL-1ra) exhibited a significant decrease in MMP-1 mRNA levels compared to the controls (HF-VECTOR) (FIG. 33). Additionally, the results from two separate experiments showed up to 50% reduction in MMP-1 mRNA levels in HF-icIL-1ra after PMA stimulation compared to HF-Vector. (data not shown). ELISA measured MMP-1 protein secreted into culture medium. Briefly, culture supernatants were collected 48 h after treatment with hrIL-1β (1.0 nag/ml), hr TNF-α (5 ng/ml) and cleared by centrifugation at 18,000×g for 30 min at 4° C. Cleared supernatants were treated with protease inhibitors (25 mM benzamidine, 1 mM PMSF, 10 mM N-ethylmaleimide, 1 mM EDTA, 1.0 μg/ml leupeptin, 1.0 μg/ml aprotinin and 1.0 μg/ml pepstatin) and the level of MMP-1 protein was determined. Results from two separate experiments showed significantly reduced levels of collagenase in HF-icIL-1ra compared to HF-VECTOR (FIG. 34). The results showed that human fibroblasts over-expressing icIL-1ra type 1 were refractory MMP-1 upregulation when exposed to potent stimulators such as IL-1β, TNF-α or PMA.

Example 8 Specificity of icIL-1ra Type 1 Action on MMP-1 Expression

Using the approach described in Example 5, a phosphorothioate-derivatized antisense oligodeoxynucleotide complimentary to −6 to +12 (5′-CGTCTGTAAAGGCATGGG-3′ SEQ ID NO: 41) of the natural icIL-1ra type 1 was synthesized and RHPLC purified. This antisense oligonucleotide against the sense mRNA of icIL-1ra type 1 was designed to specifically inhibit the translation of icIL-1ra type 1 into corresponding protein and to study the direct relationship between icIL-1ra type 1 and MMP-1 expression. Similarly, an antisense oligonucleotide with scrambled sequence was prepared and used as control. Fibroblasts overexpressing icIL-1ra type 1 were transfected with 50 mM, 100 mM and 300 mM of icIL-1ra type 1 antisense oligonucleotide (24 h prior to stimulation with 1.0 ng/ml of hrIL-1β) using the LipofectAMINE protocol. The fibroblasts were harvested for RNA extraction 12-18 h after stimulation. It was observed that HF-icIL-1ra treated with 200 mM antisense icIL-1ra type 1 oligonucleotide expressed significantly higher levels of MMP-1 mRNA compared to the controls (i.e. HF-icIL-1ra treated with PBS, with empty liposome and the oligonucleotide with the scrambled sequence) (FIG. 35). The results indicated a direct association between increased icIL-1ra type 1 and decreased MMP-1 expression in fibroblasts stimulated by agents such as IL-1β, TNF-α and PMA that normally regulate MMP-1.

Example 9 AP-1 Transcription Factors Components c-jun and c-fos

In fibroblasts, c-fos, c-jun and Jun B are involved in the transcription of MMP-1 (Hall, et al., 2003; Chakraborti, S. et al., 2003). In icIL-1ra transfected fibroblasts, there was reduced expression of MMP-1 mRNA and protein that was reversed by transfection of HF-icIL-1ra with antisense oligonucleotides directed against icIL-1ra (FIG. 36). When c-fos, c-jun and Jun B mRNA levels were assessed, an increased expression of all these genes was observed in HF-icIL-1ra fibroblasts stimulated with IL-1 that were treated with scrambled oligonucleotides (FIG. 36). These data indicated that c-fos, c-jun and Jun B were involved in icIL-1ra mediated downregulation of MMP-1 in fibroblasts.

Example 10 Intracellular Interleukin 1receptor Antagonists Reduces the Severity of Collagen-induced Arthritis In Vivo

In order to evaluate the role of one of the isoforms of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra) in inducing anti-inflammatory effect, an animal model of collagen-induced arthritis was used. DBA/1-QCII24 mice transgenic for type II collagen T-cell receptor (from Dr. Edward Rosloniec at VAMC, Memphis, Tenn.) were immunized with type II collagen and seven days later injected with an 100 microliters containing 10⁸ total pfu of an adenoviral vector containing cDNA encoding the predominant form of icIL-1ra or the same amount of an adenoviral vector containing cDNA for β-galactosidase as control. These animals uniformly developed an accelerated and severe arthritis at 7-10 days following immunization with type II collagen.

The adenoviral vector used herein was constructed as follows: Adenoviral vector expressing icIL-1ra type 1 was constructed using the Adeno-X™-Expression system obtained from Clontech-BD Biosciences (Mountain View, Calif., USA) that provides an efficient gene transfer and high-level expression foreign genes using recombinant adenovirus. The cDNA for icIL-1ra type 1 was cloned into a plasmid pLXSN as described previously (Higgins et al., 1999).

Briefly, cDNA for icIL-1ra was cloned into the multiple cloning site of the shuttle vector. Next, the shuttle vector was linearized by two rare cutter enzymes (I-Ceu I and PI-Sce I), and ligated in vitro to the linearized Adeno-X™ DNA (pre-cut with I-Ceu I and PI-Sce I). Additional digestion with SwaI enzyme was done to remove the non-recombinant adenoviral DNA, ensuring that >95% of the colonies contain the recombinant DNA. The ligation mixture was then transformed into competent E. coli. Recombinant plasmid was purified, and HEK 293 cells were transfected with purified recombinant adenoviral DNA which results in the production of adenoviral plaques. Due to the strong adherent nature of the HEK 293 cells infectious foci can be observed without an agar overlay. The expression of icIL1ra protein in recombinant adenovirus-infected cells were confirmed by western blot analysis of the infected cell lystes using antibody directed against rhIL-1ra (R&D Systems Minneapolis, Minn.).

Viral particles were purified using the Adeno-X Virus purification kit obtained from Clontech-BD Biosciences which uses a chromatographic system. The viral particles adhere to the membrane due to its distinctive surface associated properties. The bound viral particles were eluted using the elution buffer supplied in the kit. Purified viral particles were then titrated using a rapid viral titration kit obtained from Clontech-BD Biosciences. Briefly, the infected cells were permeabilized and treated with antibodies against hexon protein of Adenovirus. The cells expressing hexon proteins were detected treating the cells with secondary antibody conjugated to HRPO followed by addition of substrate DAB and subsequent brown color development. A decreased severity of arthritis was observed in the injected hind paw of mice receiving icIL-1ra (n=5) as compared to the mice receiving control virus containing cDNA coding for beta galactosidase (n=5, FIG. 37). At ten days post treatment, the average severity score of the icIL-1ra injected mice was 2.7 while the control mice had an average score of 4.0 (Analysis of variance, p<0.001). In addition the onset of arthritis was delayed by approximately four days in those animals receiving virus coding for icIL-1ra compared to beta-galactosidase.

The total incidence score was the same at three weeks post-immunization probably due to diminished expression of the transgene over time. Histological evaluation of the injected paw was consistent with decreased inflammation following treatment with icIL-1ra. Although comparison of severity of the arthritis in left paw, which did not receive adenovirus, did not show a statistically significant difference (FIG. 38), a slight trend suggested that icIL-1ra may play an important role in suppressing an experimental autoimmune arthritis pathway and has potential to be pivotal player in developing new therapeutic strategies.

Furthermore, the effect of synthetic peptides of icIL-1ra (Table 11) on collagen-induced arthritis was also examined. Peptides representing shared amino acid sequences for 3 out of the 4 human IL-1ra isoforms (Table 12) were synthesized by Merrifield techniques as previously described (Carter et al., 1990; Eisenberg et al., 1990; Merrifield et al., 1963). In some cases, the nuclear localization sequence KKKMEK was added.

TABLE 11 IL-1ra synthetic peptides Peptide (SEQ ID NO: ) Amino Acid Sequence NLS IL-1ra 1-35 KKKMEKRRPSGRKSSKMQAFRIWDVNQKTFYLRN (SEQ ID NO: 18) NQLVAGYL NLS IL-1ra 30-37 KKKMEKRLVAGYLQG (SEQ ID NO: 43) IL-1RA 37-30 GQLYGAVL (SEQ ID NO: 44)

This peptide inhibited collagenase expression in human skin fibroblasts in response to TNF and IL-1β. Although this peptide is common to all splice variants of Ilra, it did not block other IL-1 effects on dermal fibroblasts, including synthesis of PGE2 or tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases (TIMP), upregulation of ICAM-1, IL-1β-induced proliferation of a murine T cell line nor displace [¹²⁵I] human recombinant IL-1β from IL-1 receptors on murine EL4 6.1 cells. The peptides were purified (to 85-97% purity) by reverse phase HPLC and their amino acid composition and sequences were confirmed (Aycock et al., 1986; Kang, 1972). Endotoxin was not detected in any of the peptides by the limulus assay (Pyrotel, Mallinckrodt, Inc., St. Louis, Mo.). Peptides solubilized in PBS were sterilized by micropore filtration before use in experiments.

TABLE 12 Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist family Type of isoform (SEQ ID NO: ) Amino acid sequence Variant 1 MEICRGLRSHLITLLFLFHSE (SEQ ID NO: 45) TICRPSGRKSSKMQAFRIWDV NQKTFYLRNNQ LVAGY LQGPN VNLEEKDVVPIEPHALFLGIH GGKMCLSCVKSGDETRLQLEA VNITDLSENRKQDKRFAFIRS DSGPTTSFESAACPGWFLCTA MEADQPVSLTNMPDEGVMVTK FYFQEDE Variant 2 MALADLYEEGGGGGGEGEDNA (SEQ ID NO: 46) DSKETICRPSGRKSSKMQAFR IWDVNQKTFYLRNNQ LVAGY L QGPNVNLEEKIDVVPIEPHAL FLGIHGGKMCLSCVKSGDETR LQLEAVNITDLSENRKQDKRF AFIRSDSGPTTSFESAACPGW FLCTAMEADQPVSLTNMPDEG VMVTKFYFQEDE Variant 3 MALETICRPSGRKSSKMQAFR (SEQ ID No 47) IWDVNQKTFYLRNNQ LVAGY L QGPNVNLEEKIDVVPIEPHAL FLGIHGGKMCLSCVKSGDETR LQLEAVNITDLSENRKQDKRF AFIRSDSGPTTSFESAACPGW FLCTAMEADQPVSLTNMPDEG VMVTKFYFQEDE Variant 4 MQAFRIWDVNQKTFYLRNNQ L (SEQ ID NO: 48)* VAGY LQGPNVNLEEKIDVVPI EPHALFLGIHGGKMCLSCVKS GDETRLQLEAVNITDLSENRK QDKRFAFIRSDSGPTTSFESA ACPGWFLCTAMEADQPVSLTN MPDEGVMVTKFYFQEDE *This variant comprises a truncated N-terminus such that residues 10-35 OF SEQ ID NO: 13 are incorporated in this variant.

The peptides disclosed in table 11 were delivered to the mice using 2 approaches. The first approach consisted of daily injections for 5 days each week via the subcutaneous (s.c.) route after the first appearance of clinical arthritis. The second approach consisted of continuous delivery via a subcutaneously implanted osmotic pump. For these studies, the following protocols were used: Since a smaller fragment of the 37 amino acid IL-1ra peptide containing amino acids LVAGY (SEQ ID NO: 42) inhibit IL-1β, TNFα, and bFGF induction of MMP-1 in human fibroblasts in vitro, effects of several peptides containing the LVAGY (SEQ ID NO: 42) sequence (Table 11) on CIA in mice was examined.

For s.c. injected route of delivery, 36 six-week old female DBA-1 lac mice were immunized with a stable emulsion of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and native bovine II prepared as previously described (Seyer et al., 1989). Each mouse received 100 μg CII in 50 μl of the CFA CII emulsion intradermally at the base of the tail. Beginning day 14 post immunization, mice were examined for the presence of paw swelling as an indication of the onset of arthritis. On day 21 post immunization, the first paw swelling occurred in 2 mice and on day 22 post immunization, mice were divided into groups of 12. NLS-IL-1ra 1-35 (SEQ ID NO: 18), NSL-IL-1ra 30-37 (SEQ ID NO: 43), and reverse control peptide IL-1ra 37-30 (SEQ ID NO: 44) were separately administered s.c. to groups of 12 mice beginning on day 22 post immunization to day 50 post immunization. The peptides in solution in 5% dextrose water were given at a dose of 227 μg/kg once daily in 5 consecutive days of each week in a volume of 100 μl. Mouse paws were examined by a blinded observer every 2-4 days, and each paw was given a score of 0-4 where 0=no swelling or erythema; 1=erythema with slight swelling and/or 1 swollen digit; 2=diffuse paw swelling with erythema; 3=marked paw swelling and with erythema; and 4=paw swelling with deformity of the paw. Results described herein are expressed as the mean arthritic score per mouse arrived at by adding up the total joint scores for mice in each group divided by the number of mice in the group.

For osmotic pump delivery of peptide, at day 20 following immunization, an Alzet Osmotic pump-2004 (Durect Corporation, Cupertino, Calif.), containing 1.67 mg NLS-ILra 1-35 peptide in 200 microliters D5W solvent was surgically inserted subcutaneously in each of 10 mice. According to the manufacturer's specifications, the pumps are designed to inject constantly for 4 weeks at the speed of for 4 weeks at the speed of 6 μl (50 μg peptide)/day. Each of the 10 control mice received a pump containing same amount D5W only. Animals were periodically monitored for incidence and severity of arthritis and scored as described above.

NLS-IL-1ra 1-35 (SEQ ID NO: 18) and NSL IL-1ra 30-37 (SEQ ID NO: 43) given by s.c. injection each suppressed CIA in DBA/1 lac mice compared to the control peptide IL-1ra 37-30 (SEQ ID NO: 44) during the time peptides were administered (FIG. 39).To deliver peptides at a sustained level, NLS-IL-1ra 1-35 (SEQ ID NO: 18) was delivered via an osmotic pump. As shown in FIG. 40, both the incidence and the severity of the arthritis were reduced by administration of NLS-IL-1ra 1-35 (SEQ ID NO: 18) via osmotic pump. The onset of arthritis was delayed for 20 days in the group of mice receiving the icILra peptide, although incidence and severity reached control levels after this time. Antibodies to type II collagen showed no difference between the two groups.

The following references were cited herein:

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Any patents or publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Further, these patents and publications are incorporated by reference herein to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 

1. An intracellular isoform of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist capable of inhibiting tissue destruction in inflammatory disorders, comprising: a peptide of the IL-1 receptor antagonist, wherein said peptide consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13, 18, 23, 24, 42, and
 43. 2. The intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist of claim 1, wherein said peptide consists of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 13. 3. The intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist of claim 1, wherein said peptide consists of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 18. 4. The intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist of claim 1, wherein said peptide consists of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 23. 5. The intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist of claim 1, wherein said peptide consists of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 24. 6. The intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist of claim 1, wherein said peptide consists of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 42. 7. The intracellular isoform of the IL-1 receptor antagonist of claim 1, wherein said peptide consists of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 43. 8. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: the intracellular antagonist of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the intracellular antagonist of claim 2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the intracellular antagonist of claim 3 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the intracellular antagonist of claim 4 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the intracellular antagonist of claim 5 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the intracellular antagonist of claim 6 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the intracellular antagonist of claim 7 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 